Some health influencers advocate for swapping out conventional dishwasher detergents with natural alternatives, citing a recent study linking common chemicals to gut inflammation. But what does the study actually reveal?
In a recent presentation, health influencer Bethany Ugarte, known as lilsipper, urged her audience to replace dishwasher tablets with non-toxic options. Ugarte referenced a February study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggesting that rinse aids could potentially harm the gut lining.
The study, led by researchers at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, exposed lab-grown cells simulating the gut to commercial dishwasher detergent and rinse aid, both alone and in combination, for varying durations. Notably, the detergent alone did not demonstrate any toxic effects at concentrations typically used for dishwashing, according to the intestinal epithelial barrier model utilized in the study.
The epithelial barrier is crucial for regulating nutrient absorption and preventing the infiltration of harmful bacteria in the human gut.
In contrast, alcohol ethoxylates, the primary component in rinse aids, were found to disrupt the epithelial barrier and incite epithelial inflammation.
Dr. Rebecca Winderman, a pediatric gastroenterologist practicing in New York City, suggests that dishwasher detergent might compromise the gut lining, potentially extending to other substances.
The study authors reference the Epithelial Barrier Theory, positing that exposure to hazardous environmental agents can disrupt the epithelial barriers of the skin, upper and lower airways, and gut, leading to inflammation and potentially triggering various chronic diseases.
While proponents of the theory argue it could elucidate the surge in chronic health conditions observed over recent decades, including autoimmune diseases and allergic disorders, further research in human subjects is necessary to firmly establish the correlation between chemical exposure in industrial and household products and gut barrier disruption.
In the interim, Dr. Winderman advises prioritizing a varied, fiber-rich diet as a means of promoting gut health. She recommends incorporating more fruits and vegetables into daily meals and including other high-fiber foods like whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while reducing consumption of fat, sugar, fatty meats, and alcohol.
Furthermore, lifestyle factors such as sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and stress management can also contribute to maintaining healthier gut function.
While conclusive evidence regarding the potential harm of rinse aid chemicals on the gut lining in humans remains elusive, adopting healthy dietary and lifestyle habits may help in safeguarding gut health.