Sunset Yellow FCF effects on gut bacteria and intestines in rats
What it found
In male rats, Sunset Yellow FCF changed gut bacteria and damaged the intestinal lining over 12 weeks.
It also triggered signs of inflammation and cell death in the gut.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Changes in gut bacteria
In the rats, the dye lowered levels of several helpful gut bacteria. It raised levels of two types that can cause disease.
Gut lining damage
The altered gut bacteria harmed the intestinal wall in the rats. Proteins that hold gut cells together were disrupted, and a protective protein dropped.
Inflammation and cell death
Blood tests in the rats showed higher levels of bacterial toxins. This set off an inflammatory chain reaction linked to a type of cell death called pyroptosis and a leakier gut.
What the authors conclude
- They suggest looking into whether people who consume Sunset Yellow might experience similar gut changes.
- Their work shows the dye disrupted gut bacteria and caused intestinal damage in rats.
How it was done
People worry that synthetic food dyes might cause harm, but scientists do not yet know exactly how. The authors wanted to see if long-term intake of Sunset Yellow changes gut bacteria and harms the gut lining.
Male rats were given Sunset Yellow by mouth for 12 weeks. Researchers checked their droppings before and after to look at gut bacteria. They also examined gut tissue and blood for signs of damage and inflammation.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These results come from male rats, so they cannot show what happens in people.
- Scientists would need studies in humans to know if Sunset Yellow causes the same gut changes.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
- Authors work at
- Future University, Egypt; Cairo University, Egypt; Karolinska Institute, Sweden
The paper
- Title
- Sunset Yellow dye effects on gut microbiota, intestinal integrity, and the induction of inflammasomopathy with pyroptotic signaling in male Wistar rats
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Zahran SA, Mansour SM, Ali AE, et al (2024). Sunset Yellow dye effects on gut microbiota, intestinal integrity, and the induction of inflammasomopathy with pyroptotic signaling in male Wistar rats. Food and chemical toxicology. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2024.114585PubMed 38490351DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error