Avaliação de efeitos tóxicos e potencial carcinogênico associados a aditivos alimentares

Abstract

Cancer is a multidetermined and multiphasic disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of genetically altered cells, known as neoplasms, which result from the accumulation of mutations over time. These changes in the genetic material can occur spontaneously, due to errors in the DNA replication process, or be induced by exogenous factors, such as exposure to carcinogens present in the environment, in food or in harmful habits such as smoking and alcoholism, a set of factors known as Exposome. Deleterious exposure interferes with maintaining the correct metabolism of healthy cells, as well as potentially aggravating the damage already present in neoplastic cells, making them more aggressive. It is estimated that a significant proportion of cancer cases are associated with avoidable environmental exposures, such as the consumption of industrialized foods rich in chemical additives. The interaction between genetic predisposition and the environment is therefore a determining factor in the risk of developing the disease. This work seeks to explore the concept of Exposome in the context of modern food, rich in industrialized foods, evaluating how the consumption of certain substances currently identified as potentially toxic, even if regulated, may be related to damage to health and the emergence of different tumors. Through cross- sectional data collection that reliably assessed the local diet and the description of the compounds identified, we sought to understand how their exposure and metabolization converge to the formation of tumours and what measures can be adopted to prevent and control cancer. Analysis of the data made it possible to understand the distribution of the multiple compounds used among the categories, as well as their frequency and the degree of use of controversial compounds. This highlighted the need to re-evaluate the safety of widely used food additives based on rigorous scientific evidence, given the discrepancy between current evidence and current regulatory permissions. Risk ratings are essential to guide safe consumption limits, reinforcing that the absence of robust evidence should not be interpreted as the absence of risk. Finally, the dissemination of this information is essential to guide public policies, protect vulnerable groups and encourage more conscious food choices by the population.