What Are Emulsifiers and Why They Matter for Your Health
Emulsifiers are one of the most commonly used food additives in processed foods. You can find them in products like ice cream, ready meals, salad dressings, sauces, margarine, and even bread. Their main role is to improve texture and mouthfeel by helping ingredients that don’t naturally mix—such as oil and water—stay combined.
The Food Science Behind Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers help create smooth, consistent textures in many popular foods. However, recent animal studies suggest that some emulsifiers might disrupt the healthy intestinal lining and negatively affect the gut microbiome. These early findings have raised concerns about potential links to inflammation and chronic diseases. It’s important to note that most of this research has been conducted in animal models, and more robust human studies are needed to fully understand the long-term health impacts of emulsifiers at the levels typically consumed in our diets.
What Can You Do?
For now, the best way to reduce your exposure to emulsifiers is to eat fewer highly processed foods. Choosing whole, minimally processed foods can support better gut health and overall wellness. As always, we encourage a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Our Commitment at We Feed You
At We Feed You, we take your health seriously. We don’t add emulsifiers to our meals—instead, we use real, whole food ingredients you’d typically find in a home kitchen. Our healthy ready meals are crafted without extra unnecessary additives, ensuring that you receive a nutritious meals that help to support your well-being.
Discover more about our evidence-based approach to healthy eating and explore our meals at www.wefeedyou.com.au. Enjoy real food that tastes as good as it is good for you!
Further Reading
Several studies have looked into the impact of emulsifiers on gut health. For instance, a study by Chassaing et al. (2015) published in Nature found that common emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose can alter the gut microbiota in mice, leading to inflammation and metabolic syndrome. You can read more about this study here: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature14232. Additionally, for accessible discussions and summaries on the subject, check out articles on The Conversation by searching for "emulsifiers gut health." These resources provide a solid foundation of evidence-based information on how emulsifiers may affect our intestinal health.
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic, non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier, also known as Tween 80, widely used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients, improving the texture, stability, and shelf-life of products like processed foods, ice creams, salad dressings, and sauces. While food safety authorities such as FSANZ consider it safe at regulated levels, some animal studies have raised concerns about its potential impact on gut health. However, more human research is needed to fully understand these effects.
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble derivative of cellulose used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in many processed foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Derived from natural sources like wood pulp or cotton, it helps improve texture and consistency in products such as ice cream, salad dressings, and gluten-free baked goods. While food safety authorities generally consider CMC safe when used within recommended levels, some research suggests that excessive intake may impact gut health. However, more human studies are needed to fully understand these effects.
