Food Additives and Bowel Cancer

Researchers from Georgia State University in Atlanta have discovered that common food additives may change the balance of bacteria within the gut increasing levels of inflammation and creating a more favourable environment for tumours to grow.[i]

The study involved mice and looked at whether common food additives, which are known as emulsifiers, can cause inflammation in the gut that triggers bowel cancer. Emulsifiers prevent foods from separating and give food body and texture. They are commonly found in food such as ice cream.

The mice were divided into three groups, two of which received the E numbers (either sodium carboxymethycellulose (CMC) or polysorbate 80 (P80)) and the third group received water. The mice were then given toxins in order to trigger inflammation and cancer.

The findings showed that, more and bigger, cancerous tumours were present in the mice that had been given the E numbers alongside some other inflammatory changes. The authors of the study suggested that the reason could be that emulsifiers alter the bacteria in the gut which creates a cancer friendly environment.

Commenting on the study, Professor Sanders, Emeritus Professor of Nutrition & Dietetics at Kings College London has been reported as saying that the mice were fed ‘a very high intake of the food additives compared to what might be found in human diets’. He also said that: ‘We can’t assume this study is applicable to humans, so it shouldn’t be a cause for concern’.

Links between processed meat and high body fat have previously been made with bowel cancer, however, the NHS suggest that further research is needed in the case of emulsifiers. It stated:

‘This kind of research is a valuable first step in understanding the processes by which emulsifiers may lead to inflammation in the gut, and then seeing whether this could be linked with cancer risk. But this is early, animal based research and we can't be sure whether the findings would be the same in humans’. [ii]