01/17/2025
Topic: Gut health
⛔️ Risk to health
Dishwasher Detergents and Rinse Aids
Recent research has uncovered concerning evidence that dishwasher detergents and rinse aids, commonly used in professional dishwashers, may have damaging effects on the gut epithelial barrier. This barrier plays a critical role in protecting our bodies by regulating what enters the bloodstream from the digestive tract. (Yes, while some of us have been saying this pre-studies..we have the “sccc 🐍 ience” now)
Key Findings: 🤓 📖
1. Toxicity of Rinse Aids-The study revealed that rinse aids, even in highly diluted concentrations (up to 1:20,000), 🚨caused significant damage to the gut epithelial barrier.
Damage included decreased barrier integrity, irregular tight junctions (structures that hold cells together), and increased permeability.
2. Culprit Identified – 🚨Alcohol Ethoxylates. Alcohol ethoxylates, a component of rinse aids, were identified as the primary agent responsible for toxic effects and barrier disruption.
3. Lasting Residue on Dishware (and in our lakes, oceans, water used in house) Professional dishwashers left behind cytotoxic rinse aid residue on washed and ready-to-use dishware, posing a potential health risk when ingested.
4. Gene 🧬 & Protein Alterations- RNA sequencing and proteomic analyses showed upregulation of genes involved in cell death, inflammation, immune responses, and metabolism due to exposure to rinse aids.
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The damage to the gut epithelial barrier can lead to increased inflammation, immune dysfunction, and contribute to chronic conditions such as leaky gut syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders.
We traded convenience for safety, and in doing so, we compromised our health.
Studies ✅
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36464527/
https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(22)01477-4/fulltext
