You Are What You Eat: And What You’re Eating Is Killing You
- TJTHL McMaster
- Feb 6
- 5 min read
Research Writer: Ameera Abualsamh
Research Editor: Sahij Sidhu
Figure 1.
Illustration of a person standing between a brain and a gastrointestinal tract connected by underground roots
Most people wouldn’t dream of swallowing a spoonful of dish soap, yet millions of us consume "detergent-like" compounds every single morning in our coffee creamer and toast (Chassaing et al., 2015). While the word "bacteria" usually brings to mind illness,
inside your body, trillions of microorganisms are actually your most important roommates. This internal ecosystem, known as the gut microbiome, is a living community that supports your immunity, hormones, and even your mood (Ferranti et al., 2014). The problem is that many "everyday" foods contain synthetic additives designed to clean up food textures, but research suggests they may be "cleaning out" the protective lining of our guts in the process, as visualized in Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Note. Image of detergent-based emulsifiers in foods and consequences on gut microbiota. Adapted from Google (2026).
What Is the Gut Microbiome and Why Does It Matter?
The gut microbiome is the collective community of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living primarily in the gastrointestinal tract. Far from being passive passengers, these microbes are responsible for:
● Digestion & Nutrient Production: They break down fibers humans cannot digest, producing butyrate (short-chain fatty acids), which fuels gut cells and lowers systemic inflammation (Capuano, 2016).
● Immune System Training: Approximately 70–80% of the immune system resides in the gut. Microbes act as "trainers," teaching immune cells to distinguish between harmless food and dangerous pathogens (Ferranti et al., 2014).
● Hormone Signaling: Gut microbes regulate the "satiety" hormones (GLP-1 and PYY) that tell your brain you are full, directly influencing weight management and appetite (Everard & Cani, 2013)
● Mood and the "Second Brain": Shockingly, roughly 90% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut. Specific microbes signal our cells to produce this "feel-good" neurotransmitter, linking gut health directly to emotional stability (Yano et al., 2015)
The Hidden Disruptors: Emulsifiers
Diet is the strongest influence on this ecosystem. In particular, ultra-processed foods use emulsifiers (chemicals that combine oil and water) to improve shelf life. However, synthetic emulsifiers can act like solvents on the gut's protective mucus layer, leading to dysbiosis (an imbalanced gut) and "leaky gut." Common Emulsifiers in Your Kitchen are as follows (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2024); (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025)
● DATEM & SME’s: Found in pillowy breads like Wonder Bread or commercial hamburger buns, Ràresearch indicates DATEM and Sorbitan Monostrate Esters found in items like Betty Crocker Cake Mix, Cool Whip can cause a non-reversible decrease in the diversity of your gut bacteria (Naimi et al., 2021).
● Polysorbate 80 (P80) & CMC: Found in "light" or fat-free ice creams like Halo Top or Breyers. These have been shown to make bacteria "hungry" enough to eat through the gut’s mucus lining and attach to the intestinal wall (Chassaing et al., 2015).
● Carrageenan & Phosphates: Frequently found in Silk Almond Milk, sliced deli turkey, and Premier Protein Shakes. These bind water to protein but can trigger an immune response that mimics a bacterial infection, damaging the intestinal lining (Bhattacharyya et al., 2017).
● PGPR: A synthetic used in mass-produced chocolate like Hershey’s Bars to reduce costs, which can alter the behavior of gut microbes (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025).
The Consequences of a Disrupted Gut
When these additives "remodel" your microbiome, the effects show up far beyond the stomach:
● The Gut-Skin Axis: "Leaky gut" allows inflammatory compounds to enter the blood (as seen in figure 3), which can trigger sebaceous gland activity and lead to acne and eczema (Salem et al., 2018).
Figure 3.
Note. Diagram showing the mechanism of intestinal permeability and its impact on systemic health.
● Cravings and Mood Swings: When microbial diversity drops, certain "bad" bacteria can hijack the gut-brain axis, sending signals that increase cravings for sugar and highly processed foods to ensure their own survival (Alcock et al., 2014).
● Chronic Inflammation: A loss of butyrate-producing bacteria means the body loses its natural "anti-inflammatory" switch, contributing to fatigue and long-term metabolic disease.
Conclusion: Feeding More Than Yourself
We do not eat only to fuel our own bodies; every meal feeds a complex microbial ecosystem. When we choose whole foods like fiber, fermented vegetables, and unprocessed proteins, we support a resilient microbiome (Ferranti et al., 2014). However, when we rely on ultra-processed foods filled with synthetic emulsifiers, we risk permanently losing the microbial diversity that keeps us healthy. In the most literal sense, "you are what you eat", so next time you reach out for some Hershey’s Chocolate, think about your roommates.
Below is a chart listing common emulsifiers found on our shelves.
REFERENCES:
Alcock, J., Maley, C. C., & Aktipis, C. A. (2014). Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms. BioEssays, 36(10), 940–949. National Library of Medicine.
Bhattacharyya, S., Shumard, T., Xie, H., Dodda, A., Varady, K. A., Feferman, L., Halline, A. G., Goldstein, J. L., Hanauer, S. B., & Tobacman, J. K. (2017). A randomized trial of the effects of the no-carrageenan diet on ulcerative colitis disease activity. Nutrition and Healthy Aging, 4(2), 181–192. National Library of Medicine.
Capuano, E. (2016). The behavior of dietary fiber in the gastrointestinal tract determines its physiological effect. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(16), 3543–3564. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2016.1180501
Chassaing, B., Koren, O., Goodrich, J. K., Poole, A. C., Srinivasan, S., Ley, R. E., & Gewirtz, A. T. (2015). Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and
metabolic syndrome. Nature, 519(7541), 92–96. PubMed Central.
Everard, A., & Cani, P. D. (2013). Diabetes, obesity and gut microbiota. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, 27(1), 73–83. Science Direct.
Ferranti, E. P., Dunbar, S. B., Dunlop, A. L., & Corwin, E. J. (2014). 20 Things you Didn’t Know About the Human Gut Microbiome. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 29(6), 479–481. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/jcn.0000000000000166
Google. (2026). image of detergent based emulsifiers in foods and consequences on gut macrobacteria [AI-generated Image]. In Google Gemini. https://gemini.google.com/ Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (2025). Leaky Gut Syndrome [Image]. In Manipal Hospitals Blog.
Miller, P. (2025, December 30). Mayo Clinic Q&A: What are prebiotics and probiotics? Mayo Clinic News Network; Mayo Clinic News Network.
Naimi, S., Viennois, E., Gewirtz, A. T., & Chassaing, B. (2021). Direct impact of commonly used dietary emulsifiers on human gut microbiota. Microbiome, 9(1). Springer Nature Link. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-020-00996-6
Powder, J., & Bonazzi, D. (2020). The Gut Microbiome and the Brain. Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2021/gut-microbiome-and-brain
Salem, I., Ramser, A., Isham, N., & Ghannoum, M. A. (2018). The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9(9). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01459
Stoller-Conrad, J. (2015, April 9). Microbes Help Produce Serotonin in Gut. Caltech.edu; California Institute of Technology.
https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/microbes-help-produce-serotonin-gut-46495 U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2024). Data Documentation | USDA FoodData Central. USDA.gov; Agricultural Research Service .
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, February 13). Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS). Fda.gov; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
https://hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FoodSubstances Yano, J. M., Yu, K., Donaldson, G. P., Shastri, G. G., Ann, P., Ma, L., Nagler, C. R., Ismagilov, R. F., Mazmanian, S. K., & Hsiao, E. Y. (2015). Indigenous Bacteria from the Gut Microbiota Regulate Host Serotonin Biosynthesis. Cell, 161(2), 264–276. National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.047
