Ultra-processed food, which comprises up to 60% of the average adult’s daily diet in Western countries, is packed with additives that have nothing to do with nutrition. Now, a growing number of epidemiological studies suggest a link between higher consumption levels of such additives and higher risks of diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
First-time researchers analyze relationship between the dietary intakes of emulsifiers
For the first time in the world, a team of French researchers from the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment has studied the relationships between the dietary intakes of emulsifiers, assessed over a follow-up period of maximum 14 years, and the risk of developing type-2 diabetes in a large study in the general population.
The results are based on the analysis of data from 104,139 adults in France (average age 43 years; 79% women) who participated in the web-cohort study (see box below) between 2009 and 2023.
Participants complete two days of dietary records
The participants completed at least two days of dietary records, collecting detailed information on all foods and drinks consumed and their commercial brands (in the case of industrial products). These dietary records were repeated every six months for 14 years and matched against databases to identify the presence and amount of food additives, including emulsifiers, in the products consumed. Lab assays were also performed to provide quantitative data. This allowed for the measurement of chronic exposure to these emulsifiers over time.
During follow-up, participants reported the development of diabetes (1,056 cases diagnosed), and reports were validated. Several well-known risk factors for diabetes including age, sex, weight (body-mass index), educational level, family history, smoking, alcohol and levels of physical activity, as well as the overall nutritional quality of the diet including their sugar intake were taken into account in the analysis.
Xanthan gum (E415; 8% increased risk per increment of 500 mg per day)