A recent study suggests that common breakfast items like cereal and orange juice, which have been found to contain traces of the pesticide glyphosate, may cause dementia-like symptoms. The study, which was conducted on mice, indicates that even small amounts of exposure to this active ingredient in RoundUp can have long-lasting effects on the brain.
The study, conducted by Arizona State University and City of Hope, demonstrated alarming changes in the brains of rodents exposed to glyphosate for about three months. Upon examining the brains, researchers discovered that the chemical had infiltrated the delicate tissue, causing inflammation and decay of nerves and brain tissue. These changes were reminiscent of Alzheimer’s disease and persisted for several months after exposure ceased.
“This underlines that many chemicals we encounter regularly and previously considered safe might pose potential health risks,” warned Patrick Pirrotte, a study author and director at City of Hope.
According to a separate analysis by Sokolove law, a personal injury and illness law firm, foods such as Quaker oatmeal, Cheez-It, and Tropicana orange juice tested positive for glyphosate. The chemical was also detected in cotton products and bottled water.
It’s important to note that previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of high levels of glyphosate exposure, typically experienced by farm or factory workers. The average person is likely exposed to much smaller amounts of this herbicide daily, if at all.
However, even low-level exposure could lead to worrying health implications, according to this new research. Even after researchers stopped administering glyphosate to the mice after 13 weeks, signs of brain inflammation and Alzheimer’s-like changes were observed six months later. These findings raise concerns about the potential long-term impact on humans who consume products containing this pesticide.
The US Geological Survey has reported that about 300 million pounds of glyphosate are used in the country each year on crops like corn, soybeans, oats, alfalfa, cotton, and wheat. From there, it can accumulate in soil and water or stick to crops as they’re processed into food items. The CDC estimates that about 81 percent of Americans had been exposed to glyphosate as of 2014.
Despite glyphosate being classified as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the chemical is still approved for use by the EPA and considered safe. However, it is banned or restricted in European countries like Germany, Portugal, and Spain.
“Our goal is to identify environmental factors contributing to the rising prevalence of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases in our society,” said Dr. Velazquez, from Arizona State University.
Glyphosate has been used since the 1950s and became more popular in 1996 with advancements in genetic modification, enabling scientists to manufacture crops resistant to it. As it is used heavily around the world, further research into its long-term effects is necessary.
With around 7 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s – a figure expected to rise to 13 million by 2050 – understanding the potential causes of this disease is vital. Samantha Bartholomew, a PhD candidate at ASU who authored the study, added: “My hope is that our work drives further investigation into the effects of glyphosate exposure, which may lead to a re-examination of its long-term safety and spark discussion about other prevalent toxins in our environment.”
It must be noted that the research was conducted on mice and further investigation is needed to ascertain if similar effects would be observed in humans.
