Source: Children’s Health Defense

Story at a glance:

• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with natural hormone functions, mimicking or blocking signals that control metabolism, appetite, mood and learning throughout life.
• Early exposure to EDCs rewires the brain reward systems, causing lifelong preferences for unhealthy foods and contributing to weight gain and metabolic issues.
• Nearly 70% of children’s diets are composed of ultraprocessed foods loaded with EDCs like artificial dyes, preservatives, BPA, phthalates and artificial sweeteners.
• Prenatal EDC exposure increases childhood obesity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and cognitive delays, with boys being particularly more vulnerable to these effects.
• Avoid ultraprocessed foods, use glass containers, filter water, replace plastic kitchenware, choose natural textiles and consider natural progesterone supplementation to combat the effects of EDCs.

EDCs are substances that interfere with your body’s natural hormone functions. They mimic or block normal hormonal signals, disrupting metabolism, appetite, mood and learning.

Without intervention, the consequences of EDCs eventually affect future generations. According to a new study, children experience persistent cravings for unhealthy food, develop obesity and experience problems in cognitive and physical growth.

The impact of EDCs on the brain’s reward pathways

In a study presented at ENDO 2025, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin investigated how early-life exposure to EDCs alters food preferences and long-term eating behaviors.

The team exposed 15 male rats and 15 female rats to an EDC cocktail dubbed NeuroMix (NMX). Next, they observed the rats closely throughout their entire lifespans, assessing how these chemicals influenced their food choices as they reached adulthood.

EDCs rewire your brain 

Reward pathways are areas of your brain involved in creating pleasure sensations when you eat certain foods, motivating you to keep choosing them. In rats exposed early to NMX, brain analysis revealed significant changes in gene expression within these reward areas. According to the official press release by the Endocrine Society:

“Findings showed that male rats with early-life exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals had a temporary preference for the sucrose solution, while female rats showed a strong preference for high-fat food that resulted in weight gain.”

EDCs disrupt hormonal balance 

Male rats experienced additional biological effects by NMX, notably a marked reduction in testosterone levels. Testosterone is a critical hormone influencing muscle growth, energy levels, mood and even weight regulation. Reduced testosterone often leads to obesity, lower energy and disrupted metabolic health. This effect highlights an additional risk for men exposed to these chemicals during their early developmental stages.

Meanwhile, EDCs maintained normal estradiol levels in female rats. Estradiol refers to a primary female sex hormone important for reproductive health and metabolism.

The mechanisms behind these effects 

Going deeper into the analysis, the researchers showed the brain activity upon exposure to NMX:

“NMX induced sex-specific changes in gene expression across regions of the brain that support reward processing and feeding behavior; using Gene Ontology, the functional significance of these changes related primarily to processes involved in epigenetic regulation (e.g., chromatin remodeling, histone modification and DNA methylation) and transcriptional activity.

“These processes were downregulated in the lateral hypothalamus and ventral tegmental area of NMX-exposed males, and upregulated in the nucleus accumbens of both sexes.”

EDCs are lurking in ultraprocessed foods

According to a report by the National Public Radio (NPR), much of an American child’s diet consists of ultraprocessed foods — nearly 70%, in fact.

While ultraprocessed foods have already been established for causing various health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, research also shows that they are significant sources of EDCs. Thus, consuming them perpetuates a cycle of continuous EDC exposure and poor health.

In a study published in the Journal of Xenobiotics, researchers explored how common additives in ultraprocessed foods act as EDCs, altering hormone function and contributing to significant health problems.

The team reviewed various additives, including artificial dyes, preservatives, plasticizers like bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and artificial sweeteners, uncovering their hidden impacts on your body’s endocrine system.

You’ve been exposed to EDCs for a long time 

The alarming conclusion by the study is that exposure to EDCs isn’t rare or occasional — it’s a daily occurrence for most people. Regular intake of these additives directly interferes with hormonal balance, influencing critical processes in your body like thyroid function, reproductive health and metabolism.

Ingredients that contain EDCs 

Among the additives studied, artificial food dyes like tartrazine and erythrosine stood out prominently. Both are extensively used to enhance the appearance of ultraprocessed snacks, cereals, candies and beverages. Moreover, these colorful chemicals significantly disrupt thyroid hormones:

“Erythrosine has been shown to affect the binding of thyroid hormones to their receptors, which are necessary for normal thyroid hormone signaling. By interfering with this process, erythrosine may disrupt the regulation of gene expression and other physiological processes controlled by thyroid hormones.

“Specifically, erythrosine action is associated with decreased levels of T3 and T4 and increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which may indicate thyroid dysfunction or an adaptive response to erythrosine exposure.”

Other EDCs in ultraprocessed foods 

Preservatives such as parabens, commonly added to packaged baked goods, sauces and beverages, were another significant finding. Parabens act similarly to estrogen, your primary female sex hormone, by binding to estrogen receptors:

“Parabens inhibit the activity of enzymes such as aromatase, which converts androgens to estrogens or affects other enzymes involved in hormone metabolism. These alterations in hormone synthesis and metabolism can disrupt the normal production and breakdown of hormones in the body.”

Food packaging also contributes to further exposure 

The study also scrutinized plastic-related chemicals like BPA and phthalates, frequently used in food packaging.

BPA, often found in plastic bottles and food can linings, disrupts estrogen and thyroid hormone functions. Phthalates, commonly found in plastic wraps and containers, reduce testosterone production by interfering with hormone synthesis pathways.

Artificial sweeteners hamper your endocrine system 

Sucralose and aspartame, often marketed as healthier alternatives to refined sugar, were also highlighted. Despite their calorie-free label, these products indirectly alter insulin signaling and fat storage processes by confusing your body’s natural metabolic responses:

“ASs [artificial sweeteners] may influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota, which plays a vivid role in various aspects of health, including metabolism and hormonal regulation. ASs influence the gut microbiota and could potentially impact the production and metabolism of hormones, which directly and indirectly act as EDCs.”

EDCs compete with your natural hormones for space 

One harmful mechanism involved in these additives is displacing hormones from proteins that normally carry them through your bloodstream. Typically, hormones like estrogen and testosterone are bound to proteins, which regulate their release into cells. When EDCs interfere, hormones circulate freely and excessively, overstimulating or desensitizing receptors in your tissues:

“Phthalates can also affect the metabolism of hormones in the body. They have the potential to compete with natural hormones for binding to carrier proteins in the bloodstream, such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). By displacing hormones from these binding proteins, phthalates can impact hormone availability and alter hormone signaling.”

Early EDC exposure linked to childhood obesity and cognitive decline

In a meta-analysis published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology, researchers examined how exposure to EDCs during pregnancy and early childhood impacts brain development and body weight in the growth of children.

Specifically, the team reviewed numerous studies investigating the connection between prenatal exposure to substances such as BPA, phthalates, triclosan and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the occurrence of childhood obesity and neurological disorders like ADHD and autism.

EDCs impact childhood cognitive function 

In the studies reviewed, prenatal exposure to BPA and phthalates consistently correlated with negative impacts on brain function. Specifically, children exposed to these chemicals before birth exhibited more frequent ADHD symptoms. IQ scores also dropped notably.

The list of EDCs grows longer 

The review further identified that exposure to PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, significantly increases the risk of obesity in childhood. These substances disrupt how the body regulates fat storage, leading to rapid weight gain even in early infancy. Infants and young children exposed to PFAS showed noticeable patterns of accelerated weight gain, resulting in obesity by school age.

Pregnancy is the most vulnerable period 

Exposure during pregnancy, even at relatively low levels, triggers lasting changes in children’s metabolism and brain development. After birth, males emerged consistently as more vulnerable to the early-life assaults of EDCs.

Physical growth is hampered 

Prenatal exposure to EDCs didn’t only affect children mentally — it physically altered their growth patterns:

“[F]ive publications from prospective cohort studies report that prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with alterations in infant or child growth, increased adiposity during childhood and adulthood, and higher waist-to-height ratio.”

The biological mechanisms behind the damage caused by EDCs 

When EDCs block or alter thyroid hormones, they cause structural changes in the developing brain. These structural disruptions manifest as lower IQ, impaired memory, and attention deficits.

Another critical pathway highlighted was the chemicals’ activation of PPAR-gamma receptors, proteins involved in managing how your body creates and stores fat. Chemicals like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) overstimulate these receptors, triggering excessive fat cell production and storage.

As a result, children exposed to these disruptors in utero typically accumulate fat easier, struggle to lose weight as they grow and face increased risk for metabolic diseases later in life.

Steps to minimize your exposure to EDCs

Since EDCs are everywhere, it’s becoming increasingly important to protect yourself from these toxins, especially if you’re currently pregnant or raising a child.

Here are six strategies to protect your family’s health:

1. Avoid ultraprocessed foods — One of the most important things you can do to improve your and your family’s overall health is ditching ultraprocessed foods loaded with EDCs in favor of whole, natural foods of organic fruits, vegetables, and grass-fed meats.

More importantly, ultraprocessed foods are high in linoleic acid, one of the most ubiquitous toxins in the Western food supply today. In a previous article, linoleic acid has been shown to cause mitochondrial dysfunction, raising your risk for chronic disease.

That said, avoiding linoleic acid is virtually impossible since it’s now ubiquitous. To protect your health, limit your intake to less than 5 grams a day from all sources. If you can get it below 2 grams per day, that’s even better.

2. Filter your water — If you’re drinking from bottled water and tap water every day, you’re unknowingly consuming microplastics that eventually accumulate inside your body. To stop this constant assault, I recommend installing high-quality water filters at the entry point of your water supply, as well as the faucets. Consider bringing refillable water bottles made from glass or stainless steel as well.

3. Scrutinize the packaging of your food — In addition to avoiding ultraprocessed ingredients, you also need to pay attention to the actual wrapping of the food you buy. Here’s a handy tip — always favor products packaged in glass jars instead of plastic containers.

In addition, never microwave meals inside plastic containers. If you have leftovers, store them using glass, ceramic or stainless steel.

4. Upgrade your kitchenware — Every slice on a plastic cutting board releases microplastics into your meal. Over weeks and months, you consume countless particles without realizing it. Change your plastic cutting boards to wood or glass varieties. Additionally, replace plastic cooking utensils and nonstick cookware with stainless steel versions.

5. Opt for natural textiles for your clothes — Synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, or acrylic essentially wrap your body in plastic particles. Moreover, every wash cycle releases tiny plastic fibers that contaminate fresh groundwater sources.

Transition your wardrobe towards natural alternatives like organic wool, cotton or linen. If you absolutely need to wear synthetic clothing for certain occasions, reduce how frequently you wash them, and use microfiber-catching laundry bags or filtration devices.

6. Consider natural progesterone — EDCs frequently mimic estrogen, disrupting your body’s natural hormone balance. Using natural progesterone can directly counteract these effects by restoring hormonal equilibrium.

FAQs about endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Q: What are EDCs, and why are they harmful?

A: EDCs are substances that interfere with your body’s hormone functions by either mimicking or blocking natural hormones. This interference disrupts your metabolism, mood, appetite and learning processes, often leading to lifelong health issues like persistent unhealthy cravings, weight gain and developmental delays, particularly in children.

Q: Where are EDCs typically found, and how often am I exposed?

A: EDCs are incredibly common in everyday life, especially in ultraprocessed foods, plastics and clothing. For most people, exposure to these hormone-disrupting chemicals is a daily occurrence through diet and everyday products, making them difficult, but not impossible, to avoid entirely.

Q: How do EDCs affect brain function and eating behavior?

A: Exposure to EDCs, especially early in life, eventually alters your brain’s reward pathways — the areas responsible for pleasure and cravings. These chemicals change gene expression in key brain regions, making you favor unhealthy foods more. An animal test model showed that early-life exposure caused male subjects to prefer sugary foods and female subjects to crave fatty foods.

Q: What specific health problems are linked to early exposure to EDCs in children?

A: Early-life exposure to EDCs, particularly during pregnancy, significantly raises the risk of obesity, ADHD, lower IQ and autism in children. Boys are particularly vulnerable to cognitive and attention issues caused by prenatal exposure. Physically, children exposed to EDCs tend to gain excess weight rapidly in infancy, increasing their lifelong risk of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Q: How can I protect myself and my family from harmful exposure to EDCs?

A: Reducing your exposure involves practical lifestyle changes. Start by avoiding ultraprocessed foods, and choose whole, organic foods instead. In addition, eliminate plastic containers and cooking utensils, switch to natural fibers for clothing and opt for filtered water. Incorporating natural progesterone can also help balance hormones disrupted by plastics and other EDCs.

Originally published by Dr. Joseph Mercola.