A dangerous ingredient that may trigger the development of cancer has
been found in toothpaste and certain food products, a recent study, published
in Scientific Reports said.
It goes about food coloring known as E171 (titanium dioxide). The
substance is used for the production of toothpaste and food products. It was
found that titanium dioxide causes pre-cancerous diseases,
researchers from France and Luxembourg concluded as a result of a series of
experiments on rodents.
The
experiments were conducted on rats. During 100 days of the experiments, the
rodents would receive injections of E171 in quantities proportional to what
humans take with food and cosmetic products. Precancerous lesions were found in
either intestines or colon in 40% of rats exposed to the chemical. The influence
of the coloring on people is yet to be established.
Titanium
dioxide is widely used in the production of sweets, chocolate, biscuits and
chewing gum, as well as in toothpaste and sunscreens
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