Polyglycerols are emulsifiers that blend water with oils and fats. Examples include polyglycerol fatty acid esters and polyglycerol oleate. Food manufacturers add them to improve texture, stability, and shelf life. Personal care companies put them in creams and lotions.
People do not take polyglycerols as targeted dietary supplements. They get them through processed foods or apply them to the skin. No medical use exists for polyglycerols on their own.
Food safety agencies consider these emulsifiers safe at regulated levels. No supplement dose has been established. Swallowing large, undiluted amounts of certain esters could upset the stomach. Long-term safety information for high doses remains limited.