The fungal toxin zearalenone, which “mimics” estrogen in the body and hinders reproduction in certain animals, is increasingly ingested by most women during pregnancy, but scientists do not yet know what the risks are. for the offspring.
- Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycoestrogen produced by certain molds that contaminates grains, meats, and processed foods around the world.
- In new work, researchers from Rutgers and the University of Rochester in the US, detected measurable levels of ZEN in 84% of placentas and 97% of maternal urine samples.
- Previous research by the team has already shown links between ZEN exposure and altered levels of sex hormones in pregnant women and in umbilical cord blood, but its effects on human health still remain unclear.
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin produced by certain molds that contaminates grains, meats and processed foods around the world. This substance is a type of mycoestrogen known to have adverse health and reproductive effects in animal models and livestock.
Mycoestrogens detected in 97% of pregnant women
The work of researchers from Rutgers and the University of Rochester in the United States was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. 336 pregnant women participated in the study between 2015 and 2019. “Participants completed study visits each quarter, including collection of biological samples and questionnaires on demographics, lifestyle, and medical history. Placentas were collected at delivery”, detail the authors.
The mycotoxin zearalenone was detected in 97% of urine samples and 84% of placentas.
Higher concentrations in women consuming ultra-processed products
Another finding: Researchers noted that women with a higher body mass index and those who had already given birth tended to have higher levels of mycotoxins in their urine.
“For every 1% additional consumption of ultra-processed foods, there was a higher exposure to mycoestrogens”, also specifies one of the authors of the studyCarolyn Kinkade. Conversely, women with a healthy diet, particularly those consuming more vegetables and protein, had lower concentrations.
Zearalenone: exposure that increases with climate change
“We are only at the beginning of studying how these compounds affect the human body at all stages of development” said Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and another lead author. The professor adds that this exhibition is linked to climate change: “Current data on mycotoxins predict that levels of these chemicals will increase as temperatures and climate warm.”
Previous research by the team has already shown links between ZEN exposure and altered levels of sex hormones in pregnant women and in umbilical cord blood. While some scientific data suggests that zearalenone may be more potent than other known endocrine disruptors such as BPA or phthalates, its effects on human health still remain unclear. Researchers would therefore like to be able to examine the health of children until puberty to find out more.
Even if in Europe, there are regulations on the levels not to be exceeded in food intended for humans, this is not the case in all countries… In the meantime, advice from researchers which will also benefit your health overall: we must drastically reduce our consumption of ultra-processed products!
