Foods that contain certain additives

Many foods, particularly those that are ultra-processed, include chemicals to increase shelf life, texture, and flavor. Some of these may have a detrimental impact on your immunological response. Some emulsifiers, for example, which are added to processed foods to increase texture and shelf life, can disrupt gut flora, injure your gut lining, and create inflammation, all of which can lead to immunological dysfunction.

In rat investigations, emulsifiers such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate-80 (P80) have been related to immunological dysfunction. Similarly, human and animal studies have revealed that the ubiquitous ingredient carrageenan may cause intestinal inflammation and decrease the immunological response, albeit additional study is needed to fully comprehend these effects. Finally, corn syrup, salt, artificial sweeteners, and the natural dietary ingredient citrate may all have a harmful impact on your immune system.