It is prohibited to use often plastics when drinking water from a bottle that was exposed under the heat of the sun, and heating food in plastic container in a microwave.
But, we often forget to apply these simple health rules in our daily lives. On the other hand, there are people who practice these rules not because they specifically know why plastic is bad, but because someone they trust suggested them to avoid plastic.
Here is a more concrete why you should avoid plastic at any cost: plastic food containers leach toxins into the food and can bring serious damage to your overall health.
Plastic is made up from various different molecules that are attached to each other into a long chain called polymers. These molecules can be carbon, nitrogen, chlorine, phosphorus and so on. What we’re basically saying is that plastic is made from oil and natural gas.
Now, plastic is ranked based on its different chemical consistency and and their level of danger: PVC wrap, or #3 plastic (yes, that cling wrap you use on your food but is also in plastic jars and plastic bottles), polycarbonate, or #7 plastic that contains BPA (this commonly lines food cans and is used to make your plastic silverware), and polystyrene #6 plastic, which helps make Styrofoam.
Let’s discuss each of the types of plastic mentioned above:
PVC #3 Plastic
Eating food out of a container made from this type of plastic increases the risk of liver cancer. Moreover, the process of creating this plastic releases dioxin into the environment and dioxin is a known carcinogen. Oh, and it’s also found in tampons!
BPA #7 Plastic
This chemical imitates estrogen and you’re likely to have it in your body. Up to 95{cbfb65fa2e9bc153d14eb3275fabde027e4687af6d67a0ae845f0dafc1d76f73} of people tested positive for BPA. BPA increases the risk of prostate cancer, genetic flaws, breast cancer, reproductive problems, low sperm count, immune system disorders, and behavioral issues can also result from exposure to this chemical.
Polystyrene #6 Plastic
Styrene can leach in your food from the food container and increase the risk of certain cancers such as lymphoma as well as damage vital organs.
Ways to avoid using plastic
Luckily, you can run away from plastic as there are other safe alternatives.
Jars
You can find them absolutely everywhere. They come with leak-free lids and you can store all sorts of foods in them.
Glass
Glass doesn’t leach any toxins, although you should be quite careful. You can heat up glass in the microwave without risking your life, while Pyrex glass can be even heated in the oven.
Stainless steel
If you have little kids running around the house, you can’t be too careful with glass containers. Luckily, you can use the unbreakable and safe stainless steel. It has one downside – you can’t, or better said mustn’t put it in the microwave. Other than that, it is great if you have toddlers at home.
Ceramic
Ceramic is great for re-heating your food. Although it is also breakable, there are some pretty tough types of ceramics.
Parchment Paper/Beeswax Paper
You can cover, store, and transport foods. The paper is reusable and is great for meat and fish.
We’d be more than happy to know if we helped you pick your safe alternative and gave you some ideas. Share with your friends and let them know that this small change in their life will bring them great benefits.
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