Ten toxins hiding in cookware and storage products
You try to ensure that the foods you eat are organic, drink plenty of water, and limit soda and junk food. While all these are important to your health, what you store and cook your food in is just as vital to your well-being as your diet. It turns out, a fair portion of cookware and storage containers and products are laced with toxins that can build up in the body and compromise your health as Sandra Wekesa finds out
Certain nonstick cookware
The invention of the non-stick pan was considered a miracle for many households.
The pans are coated with Teflon, a synthetic chemical made up of carbon and fluorine atoms that makes cleaning super simple, and prevent meals from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Teflon is laced with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical has been linked to infertility, weight gain, and impaired learning. Other studies have linked it to breast cancer, prostrate cancer, and reduced fertility.
The chemical breakdown that occurs if these pans get into contact to heat tends to be more harmful. Other than the long term diseases, these chemicals could cause short term flu symptoms and headaches.
It is advisable that you adhere to set instructions while using the pans or replace them with 100 per cent ceramic.
Ceramic coated
You probably might have heard that ceramics are the only safe cookware. However, this isn’t the case if it is not 100 per cent ceramic because the ceramic coated cookware contains chemicals that are harmful the moment it starts to chip.
This, according to some studies might lead to infertility problems and other health complications. Opt for 100 per cent ceramic for your kitchen use.
Plastic storage container
It is far much better to store your food in a glass container as opposed to plastics because you do not want to get diseases such as of the heart and decreased brain abilities.
Therefore, just save up and run to the nearest shop to get one of those good glass containers that you can use for carrying or packaging your food.
Aluminum foil
You have probably used aluminum foil to roast meat or other foods. A recent article from The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease linked the consumption of aluminum to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
When aluminum, especially the one that hasn’t been oxidised leaches to your food, in high temperatures, it may cause your brain cells to waste away hence becoming the major reason of dementia.
Therefore, the only safe way could be through using parchment paper.
Soda Bottles
You probably have had the idea of storing water in a soda bottle that you recently put in the fridge.
Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone-mimicking chemical commonly found in water and soda bottles has been connected to cancer, decreased brain and heart health, and even infertility.
Also, chemicals like phthalates used to make the plastic soft, will eventually leak into your drink causing respiratory and development problems. A safer alternative would be to use a higher density plastic.
Copper cookware
Copper is the most beautiful type of cookware available. However, the beauty and performance of this cookware should be overlooked when considering the dangers copper may pose to health.
Copper and nickel, both toxic heavy metals, are found in the finish of copper cookware and can be leached into food.
When heavy metals like these build up in the body the dangerous effects on the mind and body include mental disturbance and chronic illnesses.
Resealable snack bags
A recent study conducted in Harvard University found a connection between BPA and obesity even for people who ingest just a small amount of it.
Yes, zipping up your food in this resealable bags could be coming in the way of your hard earned weight loss.
Shrink wrap/plastic bags
Plastic is made from vinyl chloride, which is recognised as a human carcinogenic, meaning you will be staring at higher risks of cancer.
With that in mind, it is better to substitute it with stasher silicone storage bags, which are also dish washer friendly and even reusable.
Plastic kitchen utensils
Plastic utensils are coated with bromine, a naturally occuring chemical element.
The Journal Environment International in 2014 found that the chemical was harmful to mothers because children experienced lower birth weight and height, and have smaller head and chest circumference.
Food wraps
According to a report published at Journal Environmental Science, boxes and wraps that are used in food delivery may contain polyflourintined chemicals and styrofoam, which is made out of polystyrene (a possible human carcinogen), which can leach into your food and drinks.
The same thing can happen if you use the opaque plastic cutlery that many restaurants throw into the delivery bag.They are also linked to reproductive harm and compromised immunity.
