A GROWING body of evidence suggests that food additives may play a role in the development and exacerbation of childhood asthma. In a new metabolomic analysis, researchers identified several additives, most notably benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, and acesulfame, that were significantly associated with asthma in children, offering insight into how dietary exposures might influence immune regulation.
Study Design and Methods
The study recruited 120 children with asthma and 120 matched controls. Serum levels of ten common food additives, including artificial sweeteners and preservatives, were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry. Researchers evaluated associations with asthma using statistical modeling and performed comprehensive metabolomic profiling to identify metabolic mediators.
In parallel murine studies, mice were exposed to acesulfame, sodium saccharin, sodium benzoate, or combinations of these alongside ovalbumin to simulate allergic airway inflammation. The team then assessed immune markers, airway inflammation, and T-cell metabolism.
Key Findings: Metabolic Disruption and Immune Imbalance
Additives such as benzoic acid and dehydroacetic acid showed strong associations with asthma. Metabolomic analysis revealed fourteen key metabolites that mediated this link, spanning pathways involved in glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, and glutathione metabolism. Disruptions in these pathways may interfere with immune tolerance and inflammatory control.
In mice, food additives aggravated airway inflammation and increased immunoglobulin E (IgE), IL-4, and IL-17A levels in both bronchoalveolar fluid and serum. These exposures also shifted T-helper and dendritic cell balance in lung and lymph node tissues, underscoring the potential for food additives to influence allergic sensitization.
Clinical Implications
The findings suggest that certain food additives may contribute to asthma pathogenesis by altering immune cell metabolism and impairing tolerance mechanisms. Further investigation into dietary exposures and immune regulation could inform preventive strategies for pediatric asthma management.
Reference: Chen M et al. The study of the relationship between food additives and the childhood asthma based on metabolome analysis. Frontiers in Immunology. 2025;16.
