Mistakes that everyone makes when arranging a dishwasher (@vinepair)
We all like to eat in restaurants and are very busy with the food we are served there - but what about the dishes with which we eat?
Scientists have found that residues of detergents on dishes after cleaning in professional dishwashers (such as those in restaurants) can seriously damage the protective layer in the intestine and also lead to the development of chronic diseases.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Swiss Institute for Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), an institute associated with the University of Zurich (UZH), warned of the potential harm these devices can cause.
Commercial dishwashers are a quick and easy way to clean and dry plates, glasses and cutlery in crowded places, such as restaurants or schools. However, an ingredient called alcohol ethoxylate in commercial detergents can seriously damage the digestive system, according to research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Chemicals on their way to your stomach.
Dishwasher (Photo: ShutterStock, Castro Cicero)
In a commercial dishwasher, a cycle of hot water and detergent is usually spun for 60 seconds at high pressure, followed by another 60-second cleaning and drying cycle that uses water and detergent.
"What is of particular concern is that in many devices, there is no additional rinse cycle to remove the remaining rinse agent," said Professor Chemi Akdis, study author and expert in experimental allergology and immunology and director of the SIAF.
"This means that potentially toxic substances remain on the dishes, where they dry in place. There is a high probability that the remaining chemicals will make their way to the intestines the next time the dishes are used."
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The researchers focused on the epithelial layer of cells in the intestines, which lines the intestinal tract and controls the movement of elements that can enter the body.
A breach in this barrier is linked to a myriad of health conditions such as food allergies, gastritis, diabetes, obesity, cirrhosis of the liver, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, chronic depression and Alzheimer's disease, according to the publication.
"It is important to inform the public"
In the study, the researchers analyzed the effect of different ratios of detergents on the human intestine.
The materials were diluted in a ratio that mimics the amount that would be on dry dishes (1:10,000 to 1:40,000).
High doses of detergents destroyed the intestinal epithelial cells while lower doses increased its permeability, the study found.
Moreover, activation of several genes and cell signaling proteins that can trigger inflammatory responses was also observed.
A component of the detergent - alcohol ethoxylates - was found to be responsible for this reaction.
"The effect we found could mark the beginning of the destruction of the intestinal epithelial layer and trigger the appearance of many chronic diseases," Akdis said, adding that "it is important to inform the public about this risk because it appears that alcohol ethoxylates are commonly used in commercial dishwashers."
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