Food additive may damage your gut

TITANIUM dioxide, a common additive found in everything from chewing gum to bread, may stop the absorption of vital nutrients from food, according to researchers at Binghamton university in the u.S..

The scientists exposed cells from the small intestine to the equivalent of a meal’s worth of the additive over four hours (acute exposure), or three meals’ worth over five days (chronic exposure).

While acute exposure to titanium dioxide had little effect, chronic exposure reduced the tiny finger-like projections on the surface of the cells that help absorb key nutrients such as zinc, iron and fatty acids, and weakened the intestinal barrier — which helps stop infections.