BPA-Free Plastics Not as Safe as One Might Think
Ever since the alarm was raised on BPA plastics because of their hormone-disrupting properties, “BPA-free” plastics have popped up all over the place. But are these new plastics any safer than the original? A study out of the University of Texas suggests not.
BPA, which is short for Bisphenol A, is a carbon-based synthetic compound that is commonly used to make plastics and epoxy resins. It’s used to make many types of food containers, and is also found in the lining of canned goods and beverage containers, as well as on those thermal paper receipts you get at the grocery store. The health concerns around BPA are mostly due to its hormone-like properties, as it mimics estrogen in the body. Estrogen is an important hormone that regulates many functions in the body, including bone growth, heart health and reproduction. Too much of this hormone can wreak havoc in the growth & development of children, and can lead to weight gain and hormonal imbalances in adults, as well as fuel certain types of cancer. Although it is still used in many consumer products, several countries, including Canada & the European Union, have banned its use in baby bottles. These concerns have led to a rise in “BPA-free” plastics. However, researchers at the University of Texas have recently discovered that these BPA-free plastics still contain synthetic estrogen.
So what can we do to avoid these estrogen-like compounds? Here are a few tips. Minimizing them in our own daily lives also helps minimize their build-up in the environment.
- Avoid or minimize foods that are packaged in plastic containers.
- Avoid or minimize bottled water, unless container is glass.
- Say “no thanks” to thermal paper receipts.
- Use reusable cloth bags when shopping.
- Use a reusable glass water bottle.
- Use glass baby bottles and sippy cups for kids.
- Store leftovers in glass food containers.
- Never heat food in any type of plastic container.
- Never heat food that is covered with plastic wrap.
- Eat a diet that is high in fibre, turmeric and cruciferous vegetables, as these can help eliminate excess estrogen from the body.
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