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Cited by 19Gut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disordersMicrobial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 26 of the 26 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Effect of Five Dietary Emulsifiers on Inflammation, Permeability, and the Gut Microbiome: A Placebo-controlled Randomized Trial

Wellens, Judith, Vanderstappen, Julie, Hoekx, Sien, Vissers, Eva, Luppens, Martijn, Van Elst, Lies, Lenfant, Matthias, Raes, Jeroen, Derrien, Muriel, Verstockt, Bram, Ferrante, Marc, Verbeke, Kristin, Matthys, Christophe, Vermeire, Séverine, Sabino, João·2026·Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
DOI 10.1016/j.cgh.2025.08.005
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Abstract

Background & aims Dietary emulsifier consumption might promote intestinal inflammation, eventually leading to inflammatory bowel diseases. However, human data are scarce and involve a limited number of emulsifiers. We studied the effects of an emulsifier-free diet (EFD) and specific emulsifier supplementation. Methods Sixty healthy participants followed an EFD for 2 weeks. Then, using a randomized placebo-controlled trial design, participants continued an EFD for 4 weeks with the addition of either carboxymethyl cellulose, polysorbate-80, carrageenan, soy lecithin, native rice starch, or no additives administered through brownies. Effects on cardiometabolic markers, gut microbiota, intestinal inflammation, and permeability were explored. Results After 2 weeks of an EFD, cholesterol levels decreased (P = .00006). Under emulsifier supplementation, alpha diversity remained stable, yet microbial composition was affected by treatment and visit. Compared with placebo, concentrations of all short chain fatty acids were lower in those consuming carboxymethyl cellulose, which was mirrored by other emulsifiers, although not all reached significance. No differences in fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein, serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, cholesterol levels, or other metabolic markers were observed between placebo and emulsifiers at the end of the intervention. Serum inflammatory and cardiometabolic proteins remained unchanged. In individuals consuming carrageenan, transcellular intestinal permeability increased (P = .04) compared with baseline. Conclusions In this double-blind placebo-controlled exploratory trial, emulsifier supplementation lowered short chain fatty acid concentration compared with placebo. Emulsifier supplementation did not impact intestinal or systemic inflammation or metabolic endpoints. Cholesterol levels decreased after 2 weeks of an EFD. These results point towards potential intestinal benefits of limiting dietary emulsifiers in the diet, requiring further investigation. Clinicaltrials gov, Number: NCT06552156.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cgh.2025.08.005

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Metadata

Authors
Wellens, J., Vanderstappen, J., Hoekx, S., Vissers, E., Luppens, M., Van Elst, L., Lenfant, M., Raes, J., Derrien, M., Verstockt, B., Ferrante, M., Verbeke, K., Matthys, C., Vermeire, S., & Sabino, J.
Affiliations
  • KU Leuven (BE)
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven (BE)
  • VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology (BE)
Corresponding author
Sabino, João
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2026-04
Volume
24
Issue
4
Pages
1092-1101
ISSN
1542-3565 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cgh.2025.08.005
OpenAlex
W4413149730
Cited by
17
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 14
FWCI
5.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Lirias (KU Leuven) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, KU Leuven
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
Keywords
food emulsifiers, intestinal inflammation, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, carboxymethyl cellulose, Tween 80, carrageenan, soy lecithin, rice starch, cholesterol, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiometabolic biomarkers, calprotectin, C-reactive protein, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Adult, Diet, Double-Blind Method, Feces, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Middle Aged, Permeability, Placebos, Dietary Supplements, Emulsifying Agents, Young Adult, Healthy Volunteers

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