Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 26, 2026 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
Medical News: A new scientific investigation has raised fresh concerns about a common food-related chemical that forms when foods are heated, baked, or processed. The compound, known as 2-acetylfuran, is created during the Maillard reaction, the same chemical process that gives baked bread, roasted grains, coffee, and dairy products their appealing flavor and aroma. While this substance enhances taste, researchers now warn that excessive exposure could pose risks to multiple organs in the body.
New research shows that a common heat formed food compound may damage immune cells nerves and the liver
when exposure levels rise.
Where the Research Came From
The study was conducted by scientists from several respected institutions in China, including the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at the School of Public Health, Peking University; the PKUHSC China Feihe Joint Research Institute of Nutrition and Healthy Lifespan Development; the Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety; Heilongjiang Feihe Dairy Co Ltd; and the Food College at Northeast Agricultural University.
Why Scientists Studied 2-Acetylfuran
2-acetylfuran is found in many heat-processed foods consumed daily. Although normally present at low levels, little was previously known about what happens when higher amounts enter the body. To investigate this, researchers used zebrafish, a widely accepted model for studying human health effects because many of their organs and biological systems develop in ways similar to humans.
What the Study Discovered
The researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to increasing concentrations of 2-acetylfuran. They carefully observed changes in immune function, brain and nerve development, movement, digestion, and liver health. The results showed a clear dose dependent pattern.
At higher concentrations, immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells were significantly reduced. These cells are essential for fighting infections and maintaining immune balance. Even at lower non-lethal levels, some immune cell types were affected, suggesting the immune system is especially sensitive to this compound.
The nervous system was also impacted. Zebrafish exposed to higher doses showed slower swimming speeds and shorter movement distances. Further examination revealed increased death of nerve cells in the brain and shortened motor nerves, which explains the reduced ability to move properly.
Effects On Digestion and The Liver
The digestive system showed milder effects. While the size of the intestinal tract was reduced at higher doses, there was no strong sign of inflammation. In contrast, the liver proved to be one of the most vulnerable organs. All tested concentrations caused delayed absorption of nutrients from the yolk sac, a sign of impaired liver metabolism. At higher levels, visible liver damage was observed, including swollen liver cells, tissue degeneration, and areas of cell death.
Why These Findings Matter
This
t;Medical News report highlights that while everyday foods generally contain safe amounts of 2-acetylfuran, excessive formation during over processing or improper storage could increase health risks. The study shows that relying only on whether a substance causes death may underestimate its true impact, as significant organ damage can occur at lower levels.
Final Conclusions
The study provides strong evidence that 2-acetylfuran can affect multiple organs, especially the immune system and liver, even at doses that do not cause immediate death. These findings emphasize the importance of controlling food processing conditions, monitoring heat related contaminants, and paying special attention to foods consumed by infants and children, whose developing organs may be more vulnerable.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Foods.
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/15/3/432
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/diets-and-nutrition
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/health-news
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