Researchers have identified the effect of household chemicals on the intestines

A large laboratory study has shown that hundreds of common chemicals that a person encounters on a daily basis can negatively affect microorganisms that ensure the normal functioning of the intestine. 168 substances capable of suppressing the growth of a number of key bacterial species were affected. This was reported on December 2 in the journal Science Daily.

According to scientists, most of the identified chemicals enter the body through food, drinking water or the environment, although it was not previously thought that they could affect living organisms. There is also a potentially more dangerous effect: the adaptation of bacteria to pollutants is accompanied by the formation of resistance to antibiotics, in particular to ciprofloxacin. If a similar mechanism is manifested in the human intestine, it can complicate the treatment of infections.

The work was carried out by a team from the University of Cambridge, which studied the effects of 1076 chemical compounds on 22 types of intestinal bacteria. The list of dangerous substances includes pesticides, including herbicides and insecticides, as well as industrial components made of fire-resistant materials and plastics.

The scientists emphasized that standard chemical safety assessment schemes do not take into account the impact on the microbiota, since most compounds are created for narrowly targeted effects — for example, insecticides are designed for insects, but not for humans and their microbes.

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The first author of the study, Dr. Indra Rouse, noted that many chemicals that should act exclusively on specific targets unexpectedly turned out to be toxic to intestinal bacteria. He stressed that even industrial compounds such as flame retardants and plasticizers, which have long been considered biologically inert, can affect living cells.

The researchers noted that there is still insufficient data on the actual level of exposure to chemicals in real conditions. The microbiota probably encounters many of the compounds studied, but concentrations reaching the intestine require additional assessment. Before such data becomes available, experts recommend minimizing household exposure to pollutants.: wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly, avoid the use of pesticides in home gardens and, if possible, reduce contact with industrial chemicals.

Earlier, on November 18, Catherine Tomasino, associate professor of Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, specializing in gastrointestinal health, spoke about ways to protect the intestine and maintain its health during the holiday period. According to her, choosing the right foods and managing stress can improve well-being, as it affects the entire digestive system.

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