Endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure: cardiometabolic health risk in humans

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that interfere with hormone action, and growing evidence suggests that human exposure to certain EDCs may increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). To clarify the impact of EDC exposure on cardiometabolic health, we conducted a review of the literature (2005–2025) to identify both human epidemiological studies and animal mechanistic studies. In this narrative review, we primarily summarize the existing human epidemiological evidence on the cardiometabolic effects of EDCs, while also considering mechanistic insights, including selected animal studies, to illustrate biological plausibility. Key findings indicate that EDC exposures are consistently associated with elevated risks of cardiometabolic conditions. Notably, prenatal and early-life EDC exposures appear to increase susceptibility to obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, and cardiovascular dysfunction later in life, while adult exposures are linked to a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and related cardiovascular complications. In conclusion, this review underscores EDC exposure as a significant environmental risk factor for cardiometabolic disease. Accordingly, strengthening regulatory policies to reduce human exposure to these chemicals—alongside further research into underlying mechanisms—may be crucial for improving cardiometabolic health outcomes.