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The US Food and Drugs Agency (FDA) labeled trehalose as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) when added to dietary products.
Safety studies found no trehalose dangers in pregnancy and childhood. They suggest limiting the intake of trehalose to 50 g daily, or 10% of total calories.
The American Heart Association suggests limiting all added sugars to 9 tsp. (36 g) for men and 6 tsp. (25 g) for women.
C. Difficile Outbreaks
A study recently published in “Nature” suggests the use of trehalose as a food additive may have triggered the uncontrolled growth of aggressive, antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Trehalose may stimulate the growth of Clostridium difficile (C. diff.), a germ that causes dangerous, hard-to-treat gut infections. In one study on mice infected with certain strains of C. diff., trehalose increased the death rate 3 times. These strains thrived on trehalose and produced much more toxins.
The authors brought up additional facts that support the potential role of trehalose in recent C. diff. Outbreaks:
- • The two most virulent C. diff. Strains thrived on trehalose
- • The usually consumed amounts of trehalose are enough to boost their growth
- • A sharp rise in C. diff. outbreaks has occurred shortly after the food industry started using trehalose on a large scale
Safety Conclusion
In light of the available evidence, trehalose as an added sugar seems to be safe for most healthy people in recommended amounts.
However, recent findings discussed above warrant extra caution until we know more about trehalose safety. This is especially important for people susceptible to C. difficile infections.
To stay on the safe side, avoid trehalose if you have any digestive issues, especially hospital-acquired gut infections.
People with diabetes and insulin sensitivity should pay special attention to their daily sugar intake, which includes trehalose. *
