IS PLASTIC GOOD FOR YOU?
Plastic is everywhere, in food containers, food storage bags, bottled beverages, etc. A staggering 94% of Americans drink bottled water, according to the International Association of Bottled Water. Yet, many people do not know the many negative health risks they face due to exposure to plastic.
Studies have shown that harmful chemicals in plastic such as phthalates, bisphenol (BPA), microplastic, can leach into the food and cause many health problems including infertility, lung problems, hormonal problems, cancer etc. When plastic is exposed to heat such as in microwaves, the amount of chemicals that leach into food is even greater (higher dose). Here is exactly how plastic affects the body:
Hormone disruption
Harmful chemicals such as bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ether mimic the action of normal hormones, thereby interfering with and disrupting normal hormone function. They are able to do so because they show structural similarities to the hormone receptors. These hormone disruptors have been shown to cause infertility, low testosterone, decreased sperm quality, neurotoxicity, developmental abnormalities (especially when pregnant women are exposed) etc. See this article in Frontiers in Endocrinology for more information.
BPA specifically acts like estrogen. Hence, exposure to plastic is like taking estrogen pills. It makes sense that it would cause low testosterone and low sperm quality. This is likely contributing to the decreasing sperm count in men over the years. These effects are more profound when boys are exposed to plastic from a very young age. Make sure your baby bottles are made of glass, not plastic.
Cancer and lung problems
According to the American Lung Association, breathing plastic particles causes damage to the lungs. In fact, plastic particles have been consistently found in lung specimens of patients with cancer and chronic lung disease. The risk of having lung problems is definitely not worth the convenience of using plastic.
Metabolic syndrome/Obesity
Who knew that plastic could cause obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease? According to this article, phthalates and bisphenols in plastic are associated with a greater risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
These research findings are alarming, and it will be wise to avoid plastic as much as possible. The good news is the chemicals in plastic do not accumulate in the body. Once exposure is stopped, the effects should gradually start decreasing. Take the following steps to limit your exposure to plastic. It might not be possible to go completely plastic free, but limit your exposure as much as you can:
Action Plan
Replace all plastic bowls and storage containers with glass ones
Replace plastic water containers with glass or stainless-steel ones
Definitely get glass baby bottles
Drink filtered tap water. Yes, in the US, tap water is generally safer than bottled water.
Above all, if you learned just one thing today, never microwave food in a plastic container
Avoid touching store receipts. They contain bisphenols. Ask for electronic receipts
Check the labels on your beauty products like shampoo and conditioner. Make sure they have no phthalates!
Share this article with your friends and family. It will prevent many unnecessary health problems.