
The “Harmless” Additive DESTROYS Your Brain
Ever wonder why ice cream stays creamy in the freezer? Or why peanut butter doesn’t separate?
The answer is emulsifiers—common food additives that manufacturers love.
However, new research suggests these “harmless” ingredients could be causing serious brain damage.
And they’re hiding in more foods than you can imagine…
A disturbing new study published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity uncovered an alarming connection between common food emulsifiers and cognitive decline.
It seems these additives aren’t only messing with your gut but also compromising your brain’s natural defenses.
Here’s what the researchers discovered…
Emulsifiers, especially common synthetic ones like polysorbate 80, wreak havoc on the gut microbiome. But that’s just the beginning of the problem.
Think of your gut lining like a security fence. The mucus layer is your first line of defense against harmful invaders. However, when you consume emulsifiers, they help bacteria break through this protective barrier.
That’s concerning enough, but then things get even MORE disturbing…
Because once these additives compromise your gut barrier, toxins and harmful bacteria can slip into your bloodstream. This means some are heading straight for your brain.
Scientists found that polysorbate 80 (which is in everything from ice cream to vaccines) disrupts the blood-brain barrier. This critical defense system typically keeps harmful substances out of your brain.
However, toxins build up in brain tissue when this barrier breaks down, leading to cognitive decline, increased inflammation, elevated blood sugar, and insulin resistance.
Incredibly, the FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to test how these additives affect our gut microbes before approval. It’s a dangerous oversight that could be affecting millions of Americans.
Emulsifiers are lurking throughout our food supply in bread, ice cream, peanut butter, processed meats, and even many so-called “healthy” processed foods.
To protect your brain, try this…
- Choose natural, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats whenever possible
- Make more dishes from scratch
- Choose organic when available
Also, look for synthetic emulsifiers on ingredient labels, including…
- Mono- and diglycerides (or E471)
- Polysorbates (polysorbate 80 or E433)
- Carboxymethylcellulose (or CMC)
- Lecithin (can be natural depending on the source)
- Any ingredient ending with “-ate” or “-ose”
If you’re eating processed foods, you’ll never be able to completely eliminate emulsifiers, but when you know what to look for you can limit them.
Remember, emulsifiers might make processed foods more palatable, but the cost to your brain health simply isn’t worth it.
P.S. Discover the hidden (and DEADLY) cost of convenience.
Source:
Panyod, S., Wu, W., Chang, C., Wada, N., Ho, H., Lo, Y., Tsai, S., Chen, R., Huang, H., Liu, P., Chen, Y., Chuang, H., Shen, T., Tang, S., Ho, C., Wu, M., & Sheen, L. (2024). Common dietary emulsifiers promote metabolic disorders and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice. Communications Biology, 7(1), 1-14.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...
Common Antidepressants Linked to Silent Brain Damage
If you’re among the millions taking prescription antidepressants, I have some concerning news. A major study has uncovered a disturbing link between common antidepressants and a growing brain problem. And if you’re taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), you may find yourself in the crosshairs. Swedish researchers recently uncovered this troubling connection. They found...