5 sneaky ways toxins enter the body and damage gut health

Are you ingesting deadly toxins every day? Well, not intentionally, but without realizing it, you may be allowing harmful toxins to enter your system every single day! Yes, that’s right.

These chemicals can disrupt your gut and hurt your overall health and wellness. From the cookware you use to the sweeteners in your coffee, toxins are silently entering your system, without you even noticing them. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at Harvard and Stanford, has now explained how toxins sneak into our homes and bodies. “I’m a stomach doctor, and every day I see how hidden toxins affect the gut and overall health.

Some are so common that most people don’t even realize the damage they can cause,” the doctor said. Take a look. Scratched or chipped nonstick pans

If you think you are saving some money by continuing to use the scratched or chipped nonstick pans, you aren’t. In fact, continuing to cook with scratched or chipped nonstick pans isn’t saving money; it could cost far more in medical bills and your health. Dr. Sethi explains that nonstick pans coated with Teflon (PTFE) release harmful compounds when scratched or overheated.

These tiny particles and toxic fumes can seep into your food and enter your body.The doctor recommends swapping these non-stick pans for ceramic, stainless steel, or cast-iron cookware, which are more durable and toxin-free alternatives.Artificial sweeteners

Are you someone who relies on artificial sweeteners in hopes of cutting back on added sugar? Well, it may not be a good idea. Artificial sweetnes, especially aspartame and sucralose can mess with your gut bacteria, blood sugar, and appetite signals.

Dr. Sethi points out that these sweeteners are also linked to glucose intolerance and microbiome shifts. He suggests using natural alternatives like monk fruit (pure), stevia (pure), or real fruit.Plastic water bottles

What if we tell you, your water is a concoction of toxins? Yes, that’s right, if you are using plastic water bottles. Dr. Sethi reveals that chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) can leach from plastic bottles, especially when exposed to heat.

Even BPA-free plastics may contain hormone-disrupting compounds. He suggests using stainless steel or glass water bottles instead of plastic. Ultra-processed packaged foods

Your chips and fries could be giving you more than the crunch. They are loaded with seed oils, preservatives, gums, and emulsifiers, all known to disrupt gut health and metabolism. These include packaged snacks, ready meals, and processed baked goods. Instead of eating ultra-processed foods, switch to whole foods, with ingredients you can identify.

If a label has more than five hard-to-pronounce additives, the gastroenterologist suggests skipping that food.

Deli meats

No matter how tempting they may appear, deli meats are not exactly gut-friendly. “Processed meats are often packed with sodium nitrite, nitrate, and other preservatives linked to gut inflammation, microbiome disruption, and even colorectal cancer risk,” the doctor says. He suggests consuming freshly cooked meats instead of deli meats. “You don't need to fear everything. But reducing your toxic load is one of the easiest ways to support your gut, brain, and hormones,” Dr. Sethi advises.