New peer-reviewed research suggests that the food additive titanium dioxide, especially in nanoparticle form, has more toxic effects than previously believed, potentially disrupting the endocrine system, dysregulating blood sugar, and leading to diabetes and obesity. This adds to concerns that led the EU to ban it in 2022, while the US FDA maintains it is safe despite a pending petition for a ban.
Food additive titanium dioxide likely has more toxic effects than thought, study finds
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️New peer-reviewed research suggests that the food additive titanium dioxide, especially in nanoparticle form, has more toxic effects than previously believed, potentially disrupting the endocrine system, dysregulating blood sugar, and leading to diabetes and obesity. This adds to concerns that led the EU to ban it in 2022, while the US FDA maintains it is safe despite a pending petition for a ban.
Trending- 1 2022: The EU banned titanium dioxide for food use; Skittles announced it would stop using the substance.
- 2 2023: Unleaded Kids and other public health groups filed a formal petition with the FDA to ban the use of titanium dioxide in food.
- 3 Recent: New peer-reviewed research led by China's Jiaxing Nanhu University finds more toxic effects of titanium dioxide.
- Increased health concerns regarding titanium dioxide's use in food
- Calls for the US FDA to ban the substance, with a pending petition and potential lawsuit
- Skittles previously stopped using the substance due to a lawsuit
- Potential for diabetes, obesity, and other health problems from consumption
What: New research indicates that the food additive titanium dioxide has more toxic effects than previously thought.
When: Recent study, published after 2022 (EU ban), 2023 (petition filed).
Where: China (Jiaxing Nanhu University, lead authors), United States, European Union.
Why: The study found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can disrupt the body's endocrine system, affecting hormonal response to food and blood sugar regulation, potentially leading to diabetes and obesity.
How: Researchers compared the gut health of mice fed titanium dioxide nanoparticles, larger microparticles, and no titanium dioxide, observing detrimental effects on gut hormones and glucose levels in the nanoparticle group.