The Weird Reason Your Dish Detergent May Be Messing With Your Gut

Research on the gut microbiome is burgeoning and the more we discover about this 4-plus pounds of symbiotic bacteria, yeast, and viruses lining the gastrointestinal tract, the more we realize just how sensitive it can be. As a naturopathic doctor with a special focus on gut health, I've seen firsthand how things like poor diet (too much sugar, not enough fiber), excessive stress, and chemicals in the food supply can damage the microbiome of my patients. And I believe that another potential threat to gut health could be sitting underneath our sinks.

I've been curious about the link between detergents and gut health for a long time. Studies have shown that traces of dishwashing detergents are left over after washing and can enter your body with your next meal, and a lot of detergents contain harsh chemical surfactants. These surfactants work to break down heavy grease and oil, and anyone who has ever washed a greasy pan will know how powerful they are at cutting through this grime.

Beyond just surfactants, triclosan is another agent found in antibacterial detergents (and antibacterial dish and hand soaps) that has been shown to affect the microbiome and cause colon inflammation1. Additionally, the synthetic fragrances in conventional detergents can contain chemicals including phthalates, which have been shown to cause an imbalance in the microbiome of various animals2.

While we still don't know how much of an impact dish detergent truly has on gut health over time, there's no reason not to switch over to a cleaner option.