South Middlesex Times

A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology has revealed that nearly all pregnant women are exposed to the fungal toxin zearalenone (ZEN), a compound that mimics estrogen and can affect reproduction in animals. The research, conducted by teams from Rutgers University and the University of Rochester, found ZEN or its metabolites in 97% of urine samples and 84% of placentas collected from pregnant women.

ZEN is classified as a mycoestrogen, an estrogen-like substance produced by certain molds that contaminate various food products globally, including grains like corn, wheat, and barley. While its effects on animals are well-documented, with large doses leading to reproductive issues in livestock such as cattle and pigs, the impact on human health remains less understood.

"We're just at the beginnings of studying how these compounds affect human bodies in all stages of development," stated Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, an assistant professor at Rutgers School of Public Health and senior author of the study.

The research involved collecting urine samples from 317 women in Rochester, New York, along with 271 placenta samples. Participants also provided information about their lifestyle choices and typical diets. The study found that women with higher body mass indexes or those who had previously given birth showed higher levels of ZEN in their urine. Additionally, diet played a significant role; healthier diets with more protein and vegetables correlated with lower exposure levels, whereas diets high in ultra-processed foods were linked to increased ZEN concentrations.

“For every 1 percent higher ultra-processed food consumption, there was a higher exposure to mycoestrogen,” noted lead author Carolyn Kinkade from Rutgers School of Graduate Studies Exposure Science program.

The findings come amid growing concerns over endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Unlike many other such chemicals, ZEN has been present in food for some time but may be increasing due to modern agricultural practices and climate change.

"This is climate-change-related exposure," Rivera-Núñez commented. "Current mycotoxin data predict that the levels of these chemicals will increase as we get warmer temperatures and weather."

While cell studies suggest ZEN could be more potent than other known disruptors like BPA or phthalates, its precise health effects on humans remain unclear. Previous work by the research team indicated links between ZEN exposure and altered sex hormone levels during pregnancy.

Further investigations are planned to explore potential health impacts related to pregnancy weight gain, placental development, and child growth. "Moving forward, we would like to expand what we're doing now to look at children’s health all the way to puberty," Rivera-Núñez said.

In light of these findings, researchers advise maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy while emphasizing that widespread regulation might be necessary to control mycoestrogen presence in food chains effectively. "People who want to reduce their exposure can do so by reducing their consumption of ultra-processed foods overall," Kinkade advised.