You check ingredient labels for obvious culprits like high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors, but there’s a common food additive that’s flying under the radar while potentially wreaking havoc on your immune system. Emulsifiers — ingredients that help mix oil and water in processed foods — are increasingly linked to autoimmune diseases, and they’re hiding in foods you eat every day.

The scary part? This food additive linked to autoimmune disease is in everything from bread and ice cream to salad dressing and protein bars, often disguised under names you wouldn’t recognize as potentially harmful.

What emulsifiers actually do

Emulsifiers are chemical compounds that help ingredients that normally don’t mix — like oil and water — blend together smoothly. They’re what make your mayonnaise creamy, your ice cream smooth, and your salad dressing from separating in the bottle.