• Excitotoxins are hidden food additives found in artificial sweeteners, processed foods and some natural sources that can overstimulate brain cells, leading to potential damage and neurological disorders.
• Pregnant individuals should be especially cautious, as excitotoxins can cross the placenta and may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions in unborn babies.
• Common excitotoxins include aspartame, carrageenan, hydrolyzed protein, MSG and yeast extract, often disguised under misleading labels in diet sodas, processed foods and even baby products.
• Research links excitotoxicity to neurological diseases – such as Alzheimer’s, ALS and Parkinson’s – as excess glutamate and other excitotoxins contribute to neurological damage and cognitive decline.
• Reducing exposure is possible by choosing whole, unprocessed (or minimally processed) foods, reading food labels carefully and avoiding artificial sweeteners and heavily processed snacks to help protect brain health for both individuals and future generations.

Every day, millions of people unknowingly consume substances that could be silently harming their brains. These compounds, known as excitotoxins, are hidden in diet sodas, processed foods and even baby products. In a study published in the International Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences, scientists warn that excessive exposure to these chemicals may contribute to neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

For pregnant individuals or those planning to conceive, the concern is even greater. Research suggests that excitotoxins can cross the placenta and interfere with a baby’s brain development before birth. The food choices made during pregnancy could have lasting consequences on a child’s neurological health.

What are excitotoxins and why are they dangerous?

Excitotoxins are chemicals that can overstimulate brain cells (neurons), making them work too hard until they become damaged or die. Normally, the brain carefully controls substances like glutamate (a natural chemical that helps nerve cells communicate) and aspartate (a similar compound involved in brain function), which support learning and memory. But when too much of these compounds build up, the brain gets overwhelmed. This can lead to inflammation, cell damage and long-term problems with brain function.

These compounds are added to foods in unnaturally high concentrations. Many food manufacturers disguise excitotoxins under harmless-sounding labels like “hydrolyzed protein,” “natural flavors” or “yeast extract.”

Researchers have long suspected that excitotoxicity plays a role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. But the growing concerns is how early exposure – starting in the womb – could increase the risk of conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) before a baby even takes its first breath.

Excitotoxins and autism

ASD affects one in 36 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While genetics play a major role, environmental factors – especially those influencing brain development – are increasingly under scrutiny.

Studies show that children with autism often have higher levels of glutamate in their brains, suggesting a possible link between excitotoxins and altered brain function. The body typically regulates glutamate to prevent overstimulation, but in individuals with ASD, this system appears impaired.

Some researchers believe that excess excitotoxin exposure in utero could increase susceptibility to ASD, particularly in babies with genetic predisposition. Animal studies have shown that prenatal exposure to higher levels of glutamate can lead to behavioral and cognitive changes similar to those seen in autism. While more human studies are needed, reducing excitotoxin intake during pregnancy may be a simple yet powerful way to protect a baby’s developing brain.

Excitotoxins lurk in many everyday foods, often under misleading names. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the most well-known, added to fast foods, processed foods, snacks and canned soups to enhance flavor. But many other additives act similarly.

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in diet sodas, low-calorie products and sugar-free gum, breaks down into aspartic acid, which overstimulates neurons in the same way as glutamate. Autolyzed yeast, caseinates, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and yeast extract all contain hidden glutamate, making them common in processed foods, sauces and even baby formulas.

Even some naturally occurring substances can have excitotoxic effects. Domoic acid, found in certain shellfish, can trigger seizures and brain damage if consumed in high amounts. Carrageenan, a thickener used in dairy alternatives and processed foods, has been linked to inflammation and potentially neurotoxicity.

The more processed a food is, the more likely it contains one or more of these additives. And since food manufacturers are not required to explicitly label excitotoxins, many people consume them without knowing the risks.

How excitotoxins harm the brain

When excitotoxins flood the brain, they trigger a dangerous domino effect. Neurons become overstimulated, leading to a surge of calcium inside cells. This calcium overload damages cell structures and triggers inflammation, causing more harm than good. Over time, the affected neurons die off, especially in the areas of the brain responsible for learning, memory and motor control.

In adults, the process has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer’s patients, researchers have found elevated levels of glutamate in the brain, suggesting that excitotoxicity may accelerate cognitive decline. In Parkinson’s disease, the neurons that produce dopamine – critical for movement – appear particularly vulnerable to excitotoxic damage. In ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, studies show that excess glutamate speeds up motor neuron loss.

For an unborn baby, whose brain is still developing, the stakes are even higher. Exposure to excitotoxins in utero could disrupt critical growth patterns, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities.

What can you do to protect yourself and your baby?

While excitotoxins are widespread in modern diets, reducing exposure is possible with a few mindful choices. Reading food labels is key – ingredients like aspartame, carrageenan, MSG or yeast extract should raise red flags.

Choosing whole, unprocessed foods is the best way to avoid hidden excitotoxins. Fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed meats do not contain these additives, making them safer choices. Cutting back on fast food and heavily processed snacks can significantly lower daily intake.

For those who consume artificial sweeteners, switching to natural alternatives, like monk fruit or stevia, can help eliminate aspartame exposure. Being mindful of seafood consumption, particularly shellfish, can also reduce the risk of exposure to marine-based excitotoxins like domoic acid.  (Related: Natural sweeteners: Healthy alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners.)

A call for awareness and action

Despite growing evidence of their potential harm, excitotoxins remain largely unregulated by food safety agencies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for instance, still classifies aspartame and MSG as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), despite decades of research suggesting otherwise.

The reality is that excitotoxins are everywhere and avoiding them completely is nearly impossible in a world dominated by processed foods. But awareness is the first step toward change. Understanding the risks and making informed food choices can help protect brain health.

Watch the following video about how a warrior mom defeats autism.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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Rethinking autism: How maternal health during pregnancy influences a child’s autism risk.

Sources include:

IJMRHS.com [PDF]

CDC.gov

Brighteon.com