Maternal Emulsifier Intake May Alter Offspring Gut Health, Mouse Study Finds

A study by researchers at the Institut Pasteur and Inserm suggests that dietary emulsifiers consumed by mother mice can disrupt the gut microbiota of their offspring, potentially increasing the risk of obesity and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases later in life. Published in Nature Communications, the research highlights possible long-term and even intergenerational health effects of common food additives.

Emulsifiers such as carboxymethyl cellulose (E466) and polysorbate 80 (E433) are widely used in processed foods, including baked goods, ice cream, dairy products, and some powdered infant formulas. In the study, female mice were fed these emulsifiers before and during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their offspring, despite never directly consuming the additives, showed early-life alterations in gut bacteria.

These changes included higher levels of inflammation-triggering bacteria and disrupted communication between the gut and immune system. As adults, the affected mice developed heightened inflammation, raising their susceptibility to metabolic and intestinal disorders. The findings underscore the need for human studies to better understand how early exposure to food additives may shape long-term health.

06-01-2026