Diacetyl is used to give a buttery taste and aroma to common food items such as microwave popcorn, margarines, snack foods, candy, baked goods, and other products. Previous studies have linked diacetyl to severe respiratory disease (so-called “popcorn-lung”) among workers at microwave popcorn and food-flavoring plants. Cases of frequent consumers of microwave popcorn also suffering related lung problems have been reported as well. Now researchers at the University of Minnesota have uncovered yet another reason to steer clear of this common flavor additive. The chemical structure of diacetyl is similar to a substance that makes beta-amyloid proteins clump together in the brain. This clumping is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
The recent research linking diacetyl with Alzheimer’s disease processes was conducted in a lab using cell cultures not living organisms but their findings of how the additive influences physiologic processes is cause for concern none the less. Previous experiments have revealed that diacetyl crosses the "blood-brain barrier," which helps protect the brain from dangerous substances. This means that when inhaled or ingested, diacetyl can potentially reach the brain. The current research found that when brain cell cultures were exposed to levels of diacetyl similar to that experienced by popcorn factory workers, the diacetyl increased the amount of beta-amyloid clumping and that diacetyl also prevented a beneficial protein from protecting the brain cells.
What to do: While this was only a laboratory study, the fact that chronic diacetyl exposure has been linked to lung disease, justifies minimizing exposure to the additive. To spare your lungs, reduce your salt intake, and save money, make your own microwave popcorn. Add ½ cup of popcorn kernels (optional: toss kernels with ½ tsp oil, salt, and/or spices) to a sack lunch paper bag. Shape the bag so that it can sit up and fold the top of the bag over just once and put one staple in the middle (this will not cause sparking). Cook at full power for 2 ½-3 minutes, or until you hear pauses of about 2 seconds between pops. Carefully open the bag to avoid steam. Enjoy!
Information adapted from article available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flavorings/
SOURCE: American Chemical Society, news release, Aug. 1, 2012
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