New peer-reviewed research suggests that the controversial food additive titanium dioxide may have more toxic effects than previously thought, adding to growing evidence that unregulated nanoparticles used throughout the food system pose an underestimated risk to consumers.

The study found that in the nanoparticle form, titanium dioxide may abandon the body's endocrine system by disrupting hormonal responses to food and disordered blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes, obesity and other health problems.

Super-treated foods have this effect on "food hormones" more widely, but there is no sufficient understanding of the causes, and new research may help point out the answer.

"Our study highlights the harmful effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles," the author wrote in a peer-reviewed study led by Jiaxing Nanhu University in China.

Titanium dioxide in nanoparticles form is used in foods to enhance white or enhance color and may have up to 11,000 American products, especially candy and snack foods. Popular products such as M&M, chicken tenders and fries beyond meat plants! Cookies contain this substance. They are also used in large quantities in non-stick ceramic pots.

The EU bans the use of titanium dioxide for food use in 2022, as previous studies have shown that it may be a neurotoxin, an immunotoxin that can cause intestinal lesions and potentially damage genes. Particles can accumulate in the organs and stay in the body for many years. The 2022 lawsuit has attracted widespread attention, accusing Stells of being "unsuitable for human consumption" because they contain titanium dioxide.

After the study, Skittles announced that it would stop using the substance, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) insists it is safe.

The new study compared intestinal health in three groups: mice fed titanium dioxide nanoparticles, mice fed larger particles and mice not fed. Mice fed nanoparticles showed lower several types of gut hormones that emitted a state of fullness to the body, helping digest and regulate glucose.

The glucose or blood sugar levels of mice fed the nanoparticles were higher than those fed the microparticles. The authors also point out that "the intestinal hormones secreted by intestinal endocrine cells play a key role in regulating energy intake and maintaining glucose." Titanium dioxide nanoparticles appear to disrupt the differentiation of enteroendocrine cells, which is part of the hormone secretion process and reduce the number of cells.

The authors write that these problems can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

These findings are “very important things because when you start messing with glucose levels (i.e. diabetes), Tom Neltner, director of nonprofit unmanned children, joined other public health teams to file a formal petition to the FDA in 2023, asking the agency to ban the use of titanium titanium dioxide in food.

Nilner said the agency was legally forced to respond within 180 days, but so far the agency has ignored the petition. The petition is because Robert F Kennedy Jr has made it a priority to reduce toxic food additives.

"He has started and it's too early to say it, but hopefully we haven't," Neil Turner said, but he added that if the petition continues to be ignored, the groups will sue.