The Hidden Dangers of BPS: How a Common Chemical Affects Your Gut

BPS, or Bisphenol S, is everywhere. It is used in many everyday items, from water bottles to food containers. People usually come into contact with it through what they eat and drink. This chemical targets the gut, but it does not cause obvious damage. This makes it tricky to spot and study. Scientists wanted to see if BPS could still harm the body even without clear signs of damage. The gut has a barrier that keeps harmful stuff out. BPS messes with this barrier, causing problems. In lab tests, BPS increased harmful molecules in gut cells. These molecules, called mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, or ROS, trigger inflammation. They boosted the levels of TNF-α and CXCL10, which are signals for inflammation. This means BPS can make gut issues worse, even if it does not cause visible damage. The gut has special cells called enteroendocrine cells, or EECs. These cells make proteins that help the gut work right. In people with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, these cells do not work as well. A protein called CHGA is key for EECs. When CHGA levels drop, so does the body's ability to fight inflammation. Interestingly, CHGA levels are linked to IL17, another inflammation signal. So, what can be done about BPS? There is some good news. A compound called 3-Indoleglyoxylic acid can help. It reduces the damage BPS causes to the gut. This shows that even if BPS does not cause clear damage, it is still harmful. It also shows that there are ways to fight back against its effects. Mitochondrial oxidative stress and certain signals play a big role in how BPS harms the gut. Understanding this can help in finding better treatments. It is important to note that more research is needed. The effects of BPS are complex and not fully understood. However, this study shows that even small amounts of BPS can have big effects on the gut. The gut is a complex system. It is not just about digestion. It plays a big role in overall health. Chemicals like BPS can disrupt this balance. This can lead to bigger health problems down the line. It is crucial to keep studying these effects. The more we know, the better we can protect ourselves.