Thorne has a “No List” – a list of the ingredients, binders, fillers, and other undesirable substances that will not be included in any Thorne product. Many of the substances on our "No List" are used by other food or supplement companies to expedite their manufacturing processes or to enhance the color, look, feel, or taste of their supplements; extend shelf-life and stability; or make packaging more efficient. Because Thorne never uses these compounds, our manufacturing costs are usually greater and it takes more time for us to manufacture our supplements. We do this because we are firmly committed to only using necessary ingredients, while excluding the unnecessary and undesirable ones. 

The negative effects of the substances on our “No List” on the human body can be multifaceted, resulting in undesirable effects like increased risk for GI issues, inflammation, allergies or asthma, anaphylactic reactions, and more. Other effects are still unclear and require more research.

Many additives can also decrease bioavailability, compete for absorption, and make a beneficial compound less efficacious. The reason for some of these effects has to do with the changes the additives can have on the gut microbiome. Below we explore microbiome-related reasons why we avoid using several of the substances on our “No List” and what these substances might be doing to your gut if you are consuming them elsewhere in your diet. 

Acesulfame K (Ace-K)

Like many food additives, much of the research on this commonly used artificial sweetener in baked goods has been performed on animal models or in vitro. Mice studies show gender-specific effects, with males and females experiencing different changes in gut bacteria, both seeing some slight increases in different beneficial bacteria, but also seeing increases in different bad bacteria.1 Mice studies looking at Ace-K and sucralose consumption during pregnancy and lactation saw adverse changes in alpha- and beta-diversity levels, significant increases in the harmful bacteria Firmicutes, and decreases in the beneficial anti-inflammatory bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila. Although there is some contradictory evidence, overall the science shows Ace-K is disruptive to microbiome homeostasis. 

Sucralose

Sucralose is what's in the yellow artificial sweetener packets on restaurant tables. Although in single-instance human studies sucralose has not shown a significant effect on the gut microbiome, studies looking at its effects over time indicate otherwise. In a 10-week study, young adults who consumed 48 mg daily (equivalent to four yellow packets) saw a significant imbalance in gut microbiota.2 The study found a 3-fold increase in Blautia coccoides (bad for individuals with IBS, autoimmune conditions, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome) and a significant decrease in the good bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus. Researchers also saw increases in serum insulin and glucose curves in glucose tolerance tests.2 There is also animal data that shows microbiota metabolite (what is made from the microbiota present) alterations resulting in increased inflammation and risk for colitis-associated colorectal cancer.3

Saccharin

The pink packets of artificial sweetener typically contain saccharin. Here too, the data is controversial, but review studies suggest that saccharin might interact with gut microbiota and their metabolites resulting in overall gut inflammation.1

Titanium Dioxide

An engineered whitening agent that is often seen in chewing gum, ink, and sunscreen, titanium dioxide is no longer considered safe by the European Food Safety Authority. In animal studies, the well-known Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio increased – a sign of dysbiosis.4 Other studies have shown it can increase gut barrier dysfunction and negatively impact gut inflammation.5

Sulfites

Sulfites, including hydrogen sulfite, sulfur dioxide gas, and potassium-, calcium-, or sodium-containing sulfur salts are some of the most common food preservatives. Research shows that sulfites can strongly inhibit the growth of the good bacteria Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and reduce the beneficial gut bacteria known to maintain lactic acid production, including Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus plantarum.6 

FD&C Numbered Artificial Colors

The red, blue, yellow, and other artificial food colors that make food products look good have been long linked to health concerns, especially in children. These artificial colors have been linked to sleep issues, hyperexcitability, irritability, inattention, and impulsivity. Human studies show that much of the dye is absorbed in the gut, as well as through the skin. The amount absorbed can depend on motility and gut lining – the slower the motility and more permeable the gut, the more dye that is absorbed. Other situations that can increase absorption of these food colorings include use of antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, food allergies, milk intolerance, excessive fructose intake, exposure to environmental toxins, and low-fiber diets.7

Gut Health Test

As much of the data shows, there can be contradictory evidence between how the gut reacts to additives and how the gut’s bacteria are affected by other factors like overall diet, environment, and lifestyle. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself when choosing which foods to consume or exclude from your diet.

Would you like to see how your current lifestyle is impacting your gut health? Find out with Thorne’s Gut Health Test. Collect your sample in the comfort of your home with our revolutionary microbiome wipe technology and send to the lab for testing. You’ll receive personalized results and an improvement plan in 5-6 weeks. 

References

  1. Liu C, Zhan S, Tian Z, et al. Food additives associated with gut microbiota alterations in inflammatory bowel disease: friends or enemies? Nutrients 2022;14(15). doi:10.3390/nu14153049
  2. Méndez-García LA, Bueno-Hernández N, Cid-Soto MA, et al. Ten-week sucralose consumption induces gut dysbiosis and altered glucose and insulin levels in healthy young adults. Microorganisms 2022;10(2). doi:10.3390/microorganisms10020434
  3. Li X, Liu Y, Wang Y, et al. Sucralose promotes colitis-associated colorectal cancer risk in a murine model along with changes in microbiota. Front Oncol 2020;10:710.
  4. Cao X, Han Y, Gu M, et al. Foodborne titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce stronger adverse effects in obese mice than non-obese mice: gut microbiota dysbiosis, colonic inflammation, and proteome alterations. Small 2020;16(36):e2001858.
  5. Mu W, Wang Y, Huang C, et al. Effect of long-term intake of dietary titanium dioxide nanoparticles on intestine inflammation in mice. J Agric Food Chem 2019;67(33):9382-9389.
  6. Irwin SV, Fisher P, Graham E, et al. Sulfites inhibit the growth of four species of beneficial gut bacteria at concentrations regarded as safe for food. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186629.
  7. Stevens LJ, Kuczek T, Burgess JR, et al. Mechanisms of behavioral, atopic, and other reactions to artificial food colors in children. Nutr Rev 2013;71(5):268-281.