Gut-damaging herbicide DIQUAT still legal in the United States

06/16/2025 / By Olivia Cook

Diquat, a herbicide banned in over 70 countries, is still used in the U.S. on crops like cotton and potatoes. Marketed as a “safer” alternative to paraquat, it poses similar severe health risks.
Diquat generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that degrade the gut lining – causing leaky gut, killing beneficial bacteria and triggering chronic inflammation. This weakens immunity and raises risks for autoimmune diseases and organ damage.
Beyond the gut, diquat harms the kidneys, the liver and lungs, potentially leading to multi-organ failure. It disrupts tight-junction proteins (e.g., ZO-1, occludin) and promotes harmful bacterial overgrowth.
Despite evidence of harm, the U.S. permits diquat due to industry influence and outdated policies. Critics compare herbicide regulation to “whack-a-mole,” where banned chemicals are replaced by equally dangerous alternatives.
To mitigate risks, opt for organic produce, use gut-healing nutrients (e.g., resveratrol, probiotics like Lactobacillus plantarum) and advocate for stricter herbicide bans and farmworker protections.

Diquat, a toxic herbicide banned in more than 70 countries, is still legally used on American crops such as cotton and potatoes. But new research reveals that this chemical may be silently damaging the gut, weaking the immune system and increasing people’s risk for chronic disease.

Diquat is a weedkiller marketed as a “safer alternative” to paraquat. But don’t be fooled by the branding. Diquat is no safer than its infamous cousin, with the herbicide being prohibited in Europe, the United Kingdom and many others.

According to a 2025 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology, diquat may trigger a domino effect of inflammation, organ damage and chronic illness. The herbicide works by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) – unstable molecules that break down plant cells. However, the same ROS in diquat that kills plants also damages the gut.

Diquat enters primarily through the digestive tract. Once inside, it floods the gut with ROS, breaking down the cellulose ‘fence’ that keeps toxins out of the bloodstream. This leads to:

A leaky gut, where bacteria and toxins leak into the body.
A weakened immune system, constantly inflamed and misfiring.
A loss of beneficial gut bacteria, the body’s first line of microbial defense.
Increased risk for chronic illness, including autoimmune diseases and even organ failure.

Why the gut matters

The gut lining, which measures one cell thick, acts as a gateway between the digestive tract and the rest of the body. When it is intact, it absorbs nutrients and filters out threats. But when it is damaged, the immune system goes haywire, attacking both real and ‘imagined’ dangers.

Scientists describe the gut as a “second brain” and the “command center” for immunity. When chemicals like diquat disrupt its function, the ripple effect can extend to:

The kidneys (acute damage and scarring)
The liver (cell death and energy disruption)
The lungs (inflammation and oxidative damage)
And possibly, multiple organ failure in extreme cases.

Here’s what scientists have found in recent years:

Diquat tears down tight junctions: These proteins (with names like ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1) keep the gut sealed. Diquat erodes them, allowing harmful invaders to pass through.
Diquat kills good bacteria: It reduces helpful strains like Lactobacillus, critical for maintaining the gut lining, producing vitamins and managing inflammation.
Diquat promoted bad bacteria: It allows inflammatory microbes to take over, increasing the body’s stress and reducing its ability to heal.
Diquat triggers chronic inflammation: This isn’t the healing kind of inflammation. It is a low-grade, system-wide fire that can wear down tissues and organs over time.

Why hasn’t the U.S. banned diquat?

Here’s where it gets frustrating. Diquat has already been banned in over 70 countries, yet it remains legal and widely used in the United States. Critics say it comes down to industry influence, outdated regulatory frameworks and a failure to prioritize cumulative, long-term human exposure.

As concern grows around glyphosate and paraquat, companies have pivoted to using diquat instead – without full transparency about its health effects. One toxicologist described the current regulatory pattern as a game of whack-a-mole – ban one substance and another quickly takes its place, often just as harmful. (Related: EWG study: Economic benefits of paraquat herbicide DO NOT outweigh its health risks.)

Here’s the good news – there are proven strategies to protect and rebuild a gut damaged by diquat:

Choose organically-grown produce when possible. This applies to crops known to be heavily treated with diquat, like cottonseed oil, potatoes and soybeans.
Support gut repair and health: Nutrients like resveratrol, stevioside and taurine have been shown to protect tight junctions, fight oxidative stress and promote healing.
Use targeted probiotics: Specific lactic acid bacterial strains, like Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus, can help restore balance in the gut microbiome, reduce inflammation and repair the gut lining.
Demand better policies: Reach out to representatives; ask for a ban on herbicides like diquat, increased funding for gut health research and stronger protections for farm workers and nearly communities.

This isn’t just about one chemical. It’s about a broken system – one that allows toxic substances into the food supply without fully understanding (or disclosing) the long-term consequences.

Watch this video about paraquat poisoning.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.