A food additive which is commonly used as a whitening agent in products such as chewing gum and mayonnaise could lead to inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer, warns a study.
The study conducted in mice investigated health impacts offood additive E171 (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) which is commonly used inhigh quantities in foods and some medicines as a whitening agent.
Found in more than 900 food products, E171 is consumed inhigh proportion everyday by the general population. Consumption of foodcontaining E171 has an impact on the gut microbiota – defined by the trillionsof bacteria that inhabit the gut – which could trigger diseases such asinflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer, said the study published inthe journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
“It is well established that dietary composition has animpact on physiology and health, yet the role of food additives is poorlyunderstood,” said co-lead author WojciechChrzanowski, Associate Professorat University of Sydney.”This study presents pivotal evidence thatconsumption of food containing food additive E171 affects gut microbiota aswell as inflammation in the gut, which could lead to diseases such asinflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer,” he said.