Dangers Of Plastic Food Packaging Uncovered In Recent Study

A recent study has raised new concerns about plastic food containers leaching toxic chemicals into our food.

After evaluating plastic containers from five different countries, the researchers confirmed the presence of thousands of chemical compounds and found that many interfere with hormone signaling.

While certain chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, were already known toxins in plastics, this study shows that many other chemicals are leaching into our food. We'll examine the details of the study and provide strategies for avoiding these damaging toxins.

10,000 Chemicals In Contact With Our Food

A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology tested 36 different plastic food packaging products from Germany, Norway, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In the first part of the study, scientists extracted the chemicals in the plastic for analysis. They found as many as 9,936 different chemicals in a single plastic product.¹
Some chemical compounds, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates,have already been identified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals that pose a danger to human health. Researchers also found a multitude of chemical compounds that have not yet been identified and studied.

One of the major takeaways of the study was that even though we know plastics leach into foods, we continue to produce plastics that are so complex that we cannot even identify all the compounds they contain. The researchers recommend that plastic manufacturers produce simpler plastic products using only known and well-studied compounds.

Synopsis
A study tested 36 different plastic food packaging products from five countries. First, they identified thousands of chemical compounds in each plastic. One item had 9,936 different chemicals. Many of the compounds in these plastics are unknown and unstudied.

Determining Toxicity

In part two of the study, the researchers took the mixture of extracted chemicals and ran them through a battery of lab tests. They exposed the chemicals to human molecular receptors that regulate hormones and metabolism.

The tests included receptors for estrogen, testosterone, and key metabolic regulators like the peroxisome proliferator receptor and the pregnane X receptor. The peroxisome proliferator receptor is the “master regulator” of fat cell development, while the pregnane X receptor is involved in detoxifying foreign substances and regulating blood sugar and fat metabolism.¹

They found that many of the chemical compounds in plastic products disrupt these systems.

• 23 products contained chemicals activating the peroxisome proliferator receptor
• 33 out of the 36 plastic products contained chemicals that activated the pregnane X receptor
• 14 products contained chemicals that blocked testosterone receptors
• 18 products contained chemicals that mimicked estrogen

Altogether, researchers identified 11 chemical combinations in plastic products that affect these signal receptors.¹

Synopsis
The researchers tested the chemicals extracted from plastic food packaging to see if they interfered with key metabolic and endocrine system regulators. They found 11 chemical combinations that block or trigger signal receptors.

Health Impacts Of Toxic Compounds In Plastics

The researchers clearly outlined the health risks of ingesting food that has absorbed these compounds from plastic packaging.

“Exposure to these hormone-disrupting chemicals has been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, reduced fertility, and certain cancers.”¹

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals generally either trigger or block hormone receptors. This disruption impacts the functioning of multiple organs, leading to negative long-term effects.

The researchers also noted that metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs) promote obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. They suggest that these chemicals are contributing to the increase in non-communicable diseases.

Additionally, all of these chemicals are acidifying. Acidification threatens bone health, as the body will rebalance blood serum pH by pulling alkalizing minerals from bone tissue.

Your kidneys must spend significant energy filtering these compounds from your blood. That task pulls resources from the kidney's bone-supportive processes.
Disruptions to the endocrine and metabolic systems will also impact bone health. Developing diabetes, obesity, or metabolic disorders will make it harder to care for the health of your bones and maintain a bone-healthy lifestyle.

Synopsis

Hormone and metabolism-disrupting chemicals may increase the likelihood of obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and certain cancers. These toxic substances also directly impact bone health through acidification and placing a strain on the kidney's filtration process.

How To Reduce Exposure To Toxic Plastic Compounds

Food stored, packed, shipped, or handled with plastic is likely to absorb plastic compounds.

Plastic can be hard to avoid in the modern world, but studies like this one highlight the importance of doing so. These tips can help you reduce your exposure.

• Transfer food out of plastic containers and into glass or stainless steel for storage.
• Never reheat food in a plastic container.
• Avoid putting hot food in plastic.
• Prioritize fresh, unpackaged foods.
• Oily, fatty, and wet foods absorb more plastic compounds than dry foods, so if you must purchase goods packaged in plastic, choose dry ones.
• Shop at a local farmers market to reduce your produce’s contact with plastic.
• Don't eat at fast food restaurants where food may be shipped in plastic containers and employees' latex gloves leach plastic chemicals.
• Whenever possible, prepare your own bone-healthy meals, especially from whole foods. This reduces the presence of plastics that enter foods during processing with plastic implements, conveyor belts, and packaging.

Synopsis

Utilize the tips and strategies listed above to reduce your exposure to the toxic chemicals in plastics.

What This Means To You

In the modern world, it is nearly impossible to avoid plastic entirely. That means we're all absorbing these microplastic particles into our bodies.

Fortunately, you can give your body the chance to catch up on the task of clearing your system of toxins using the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse. This seven-day cleanse is an easy-to-follow program that nourishes your body and gives it everything it needs while providing a break from acidifying toxins.

Unlike other cleanses, this isn't a week of deprivation, but one of intentional care for your body and your bones.

Give yourself a chance to get ahead of the toxifying elements surrounding us. Once you get a head start, you'll find you start meeting your goals sooner than you thought possible.

References

¹ https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c08250