While yogurt is considered among the best foods for your health-enjoyed by millions across the world-a top US-based doctor has warned that even if it is plain and stripped of flavouring, it can be processed with chemicals and manmade ingredients, which could lead to a range of health issues, including colon cancer.
Dr. William Li, a New York Times best-seller, says the low-fat varieties of yogurt are the worst for your health as they are loaded with chemicals that make them look thick. “A lot of people don’t know this because what happens when you remove the fat from yogurt, the whole thing collapses… it doesn’t have a mouthfeel. So, you know what the manufacturers do? They put additives and emulsifiers to build back that thick mouth feel of rich yogurt,” he said on social media.While there is little evidence to support Dr. Li’s concerns that yogurt causes cancer, he does point to the use of thickening agents such as carrageenan as worrying.
What is carrageenan?
Carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide derived from red seaweed, commonly used as a food additive to thicken, emulsify, and stabilise foods and drinks. It belongs to a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds like Chondrus crispus. The ingredient is also used in many other processed dairy products like creamers, chocolate milk, ice cream, cottage cheese, and sour cream. Despite originating naturally, experts say the version used in food manufacturing is heavily processed, making it essentially a synthetic ingredient. According to Dr. Li, it has recently come to light that manmade carrageenan can cause gut inflammation – a significant risk factor for developing colon cancer. Also known as colorectal cancer, it develops in the large intestine and often begins as small growths called polyps that can become cancerous over time. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for successful outcomes, with screenings and early detection playing a vital role.
What is polysorbate 80?
Another thickening agent that the dietician has warned about is polysorbate 80. It is also known as Tween 80 – a synthetic non-ionic surfactant commonly used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and dispersant. Polysorbate is a viscous, yellow liquid that helps blend water and oil-based ingredients, preventing separation and ensuring stable emulsions. According to studies from the University of Paris, mice fed with emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 found consuming the products regularly led to increased gut inflammation. Chronic inflammation can increase the risk of cancer by damaging DNA. This, they suggested, could put the body at greater risk for developing colorectal cancers. Another different study in 2021 found that introducing emulsifiers to a colony of bacteria that mimicked the kind found in the human gut caused some of the bacteria to die off or become unhealthy.
How to reduce the risk of cancer?
To reduce the risk of cancer, Dr. Li highlights the importance of checking the ingredients when you purchase a product. According to him, full-fat dairy goods are usually free of thickening agents and better for your health than low-fat alternatives. Also, Dr. Li recommends going for plain dairy goods, which are traditionally better than flavoured products, as they tend to contain chemicals and more sugar. “Whole Greek yogurt is processed, [but] the moment you add that layer of blueberry jam or whatever… ultra-sweetened stuff, added sugar stuff, now it’s ultra-processed,” he said.