Gut microbiota modulation by carboxymethyl cellulose and carrageenan: current evidence and health implications

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in digestion, metabolism, immunity, and inflammation. Dietary components, including food additives, significantly influence its composition and function. With the widespread use of food additives in processed foods and increasing consumption of such products, concerns arise regarding their long-term effects on gut health. This review explores the relationship between food additives and the gut microbiota, focusing on their potential role in gut dysbiosis and disease. Recent research highlights how specific additives including preservatives may disrupt microbial balance, alter metabolic pathways, and contribute to inflammation-related disorders. While some additives may have minimal effects, others could negatively impact gut health. This review focused on Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) and Carrageenan (CGN) and how they can potentially create an inflammatory-prone environment. Evidence indicates that both CMC and CGN can alter the microbiota, promoting pro-inflammatory profiles, although the effects depend on dose, exposure time, and model system. These findings raise concerns regarding long-term consumption and highlight the need for harmonised methodologies and regulatory reassessment.