From cakes to ice cream to ready meals, many of the foods we eat contain additives designed to make them look and taste better, and last longer on the shelves.
These additives, often known as “E numbers,” include emulsifiers that improve a food’s texture and stability. But could these common ingredients be doing more harm than good?
A new study says they might be linked to heart disease, raising concerns about their widespread use.
The Heart of the Matter
Researchers in France followed the eating habits and health of 95,442 adults, most of whom were women, for an average of seven years. All the participants were free of heart disease at the start of the study.
Their diet was carefully recorded, and the presence and amount of food additives in their meals were noted. Researchers also kept track of who had heart problems, like a heart attack or stroke, during the study period.
What did they find? Some emulsifiers seemed to be linked to a higher risk of heart disease. These include certain types of celluloses and fatty acids.
Trisodium phosphate was also found to be related to a greater chance of developing coronary heart disease.
Why This Matters
The study does come with some limitations, such as the high proportion of women and people with better education, which might not represent the general population.
Also, it can’t say for sure that emulsifiers cause heart disease; it can only show a link between the two.
But if these findings are confirmed by future studies, it could mean that the food industry will need to reconsider the use of these additives.
Right now, emulsifiers are considered safe based on the scientific evidence available.
However, some previous research has suggested that they could mess with gut bacteria and cause inflammation, which are known risk factors for heart disease.
Be Cautious but Not Alarmed
So, should you clear your pantry of all processed foods? Not necessarily. The researchers say that more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
But it might be a good idea to be more aware of what you’re eating. Several health authorities already recommend limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods, which often contain these additives.
In summary, while the study can’t say for sure that emulsifiers are bad for your heart, it does raise questions about their safety. It might be worth it to think twice the next time you reach for that conveniently-packaged snack.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
The research findings can be found in The BMJ.
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