Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a synthetic thickener. In a controlled human trial it changed gut bacteria and reduced beneficial nutrients in the gut.

What the evidence says

1Altered gut microbiota in healthy adults in a controlled trial
2Promoted gut inflammation in mouse studies

Sources

StudyChassaing et al., Gastroenterology (2022): CMC trial in healthy adults (opens in a new tab)
StudyChassaing et al., Nature (2015): emulsifiers, gut microbiota and inflammation (opens in a new tab)

In a PureScan score

An ingredient of moderate concern removes 20 points from the additives and ingredients part of the score. One caps a score at 65, two at 50, and three or more at 40. How we score