How the gut's mucus barrier works

This hidden ingredient in junk food is quietly destroying your health. Uncover the harmful food additives and food industry secrets that leave you sick, yet still hungry for more. Learn how these hidden junk food ingredients sabotage your gut health and how you can avoid them starting today.

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This dangerous ingredient in junk food acts as a detergent in your gut. This toxic food additive destroys the protective layer that lines your digestive tract, similar to the way dish soap removes grease from a pan. Once this protective layer is gone, you can develop a leaky gut, allowing toxic food additives, bacteria, and partially digested food into your bloodstream.

Harmful food additives are often hiding in ice cream, chocolate, salad dressing, plant-based milk, bread, peanut butter, coffee creamer, mayo, baby formula, and the list goes on! This toxic ingredient is found in 60% of all packaged foods, and goes by names like polysorbate 80, carboxymethylcellulose, and carrageenan. These hidden ingredients in junk food are called emulsifiers.

Emulsifiers force oil and water to mix so that the processed food appears smoother or creamy in texture and has a longer shelf life.

There is a thick layer of mucus that coats the inside of the intestines, which acts as a built-in protective mechanism for your gut. Emulsifiers dissolve this protective layer over time, allowing bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Your immune system tags them as pathogens, causing an immune reaction and chronic gut inflammation.

Gut health directly affects your cognitive function. If you have gut inflammation, you might experience brain fog, sluggishness, and the inability to think clearly after eating.

In animal studies, polysorbate 80 caused metabolic syndrome, weight gain, blood sugar problems, and altered gut bacteria. Although no long-term human studies have been published, a human trial published in 2024 found that participants had altered gut microbiomes after just 2 weeks of eating emulsifiers.

In the US, food additives can be self-classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Junk food companies do not have to submit long-term human trials to the FDA.

The easy solution to this problem is to avoid ultra-processed foods. Instead of focusing on willpower and discipline, avoid buying junk foods altogether.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:

Dr. Berg, age 60, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:

Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients, so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose, and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.