Emulsifiers in ultra-processed foods may disrupt your gut microbiome

New research links emulsifiers in ultra-processed foods to disruption of the gut microbiome: animal studies show emulsifiers push bacteria toward the gut lining, causing inflammation, and human data hint at increased risk of inflammatory diseases and diabetes with higher exposure; a small trial showed emulsifiers can reduce healthy gut microbes, while a Crohn's disease study suggested symptoms improved on a restricted-emulsifier diet. There is no clear public guidance yet, due to the complexity of additive mixtures ('cocktail effect'). A separate trial found that a low-UPF diet preserved greater gut microbe diversity than a high-UPF diet, reinforcing the value of cooking from fresh ingredients and moderating processed foods.