A recent study by a team of scientists has revealed a potential connection between food additives and immune system pathways in children, suggesting that these substances could contribute to triggering asthma.
اضافة اعلان
The researchers noted that artificial sweeteners, colorants, and preservatives are among the additives that may exacerbate the condition.
These substances are added to many ultra-processed foods to enhance flavor, appearance, or shelf life. Studies indicate that children consume larger quantities of these foods than adults, making them more vulnerable to harmful effects.
Potential risks include allergies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and asthma attacks. Certain additives, such as sodium benzoate and methylparaben, have been linked to skin allergies and asthma episodes. Research also suggests that maternal consumption of artificially sweetened soft drinks may increase the risk of asthma in their children.
The study involved 240 children, including 120 with asthma and 120 in a control group. Blood serum samples were analyzed to measure levels of 10 food additives:
Neotame – sweetener in sweets, beverages, and baked goods.
Aspartame – sweetener in low-fat and sugar-free foods.
Sodium saccharin – sweetener in beverages, foods, and some medicines.
Ponceau 4R – red food coloring.
Sucralose – sweetener in sweets, beverages, and chewing gum.
Benzoic acid – preservative in foods and medicines.
Cyclamate – sweetener in beverages, sweets, and jams.
Acesulfame – sweetener and flavor enhancer in baked goods.
Dehydroacetic acid – preservative in foods and personal care products.
Sunset Yellow – yellow food coloring.
Key Findings:
The study found that dehydroacetic acid, benzoic acid, and cyclamate were the most prevalent in serum samples, at 99.58%, 99.17%, and 69.17%, respectively. Children with asthma had significantly higher levels of dehydroacetic acid and benzoic acid compared to the control group.
The scientists noted that detecting some additives, such as aspartame, in serum samples was challenging—not due to low exposure but because of rapid breakdown in the intestines.
The research team concluded that food additives may worsen asthma by disrupting the metabolism of helper T-cells and antigen-presenting cells, affecting the body’s immune tolerance. (Antigen-presenting cells recognize foreign substances (antigens), process them, and present them to other immune cells, such as T-cells, to initiate an immune response.)
