Industrial foods contain one or more food additives, including emulsifiers. These additives are known for their harmful effects on the intestinal balance, and in particular the intestinal microbiota. In a recent study, published in the scientific journal Gut, researchers suggest that taking a probiotic bacteria may prevent harm from emulsifier consumption. Explanations.
Food emulsifiers and gut health
The intestinal microbiota plays an essential role, not only in intestinal and digestive health, but also in overall health. At the same time, more and more scientific evidence is being published to highlight the adverse effects of many food additives on gut health. Among the most commonly used additives are emulsifiers, which are added to foods to improve their texture and extend their shelf life.
Emulsifiers, such as lecithins, polysorbates, carboxymethylcellulose or even carrageenans, are found in a multitude of industrial foods, such as dessert creams, ice creams, pastries or sauces. In previous work, INSERM researchers had shown that certain emulsifying agents could cause an alteration of the intestinal microbiota (what scientists call dysbiosis).
A probiotic bacteria to counteract the effects of emulsifiers
Dysbiosis is directly implicated in the development of a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, which can promote the development of certain intestinal diseases. But dysbiosis also leads to systemic problems, like metabolic disorders (hyperglycaemia) and immune disorders. In a new study, researchers sought to limit or even overcome these effects of emulsifiers. Their interest focused on a bacterium naturally present in the microbiota, Akkermansia muciniphila. This bacterium is known to be involved in the close links between the intestinal microbiota and the physiological functions of the body, through the intestinal wall.
Why were you particularly interested in this bacterium? Because researchers have observed that its proportion within the microbiota was reduced by the consumption of emulsifiers. The researchers then compared mice fed for 9 weeks with a diet containing emulsifiers, with or without supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila (supplement 5 days a week). The results obtained showed that mice supplemented with this bacterium were protected from the adverse effects of emulsifiers on gut health.
Akkermansia muciniphilaa bacterium with multiple virtues?
These new data confirm the interest of the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila as a probiotic to preserve and maintain metabolic and intestinal health in the face of the risks associated with the modern diet. The more this bacterium is present within the microbiota, the more the intestinal and metabolic health is protected from food additives, in particular emulsifiers and their pro-inflammatory effects.
For the researchers, an enigma still remains to be solved: how does the probiotic bacterium act to preserve the intestines from the harmful action of emulsifiers? Hypotheses have been put forward, such as the stimulation of mucus production or a change in the composition of the microbiota. Another positive effect of this probiotic: mice having benefited from supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila had lower average weight and lower blood sugar than placebo mice. A first pilot study has already shown that this bacterium could have an interest in reducing fat absorption, increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the risk of inflammation in overweight subjects. A bacterium whose name should be remembered, because it should certainly still be talked about!
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Akkermansia muciniphila counteracts the deleterious effects of dietary emulsifiers on microbiota and host metabolism. gut.bmj.com. Accessed January 18, 2023