What's around your food may be
just as important as what's in it.
When trying to reduce weight, it's usually a good idea to check
the nutritional info on the packaging. However, according to recent research
published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, one factor you
might be overlooking is the packaging itself.
Bisphenols and phthalates, two chemicals found in plastic
products, have been shown in an earlier study to disrupt metabolism in a way
that promotes obesity, according to researchers from the Norwegian University
of Science and Technology (NTNU). However, they point out in this study that
those are only a minor portion of the compounds found in plastics.
They looked at 34 everyday objects with 629 unique chemical
compounds, including yogurt containers, kitchen sponges, and beverage bottles,
to see whether others could play a role, and found 11 that could mess with
metabolism as well.
"The key message is that any ordinary plastic product could
include a mix of substances that could contribute to excess weight or lead to
obesity," says Martin Wagner, Ph.D. associate professor in NTNU's
Department of Biology. "This is especially true because these chemicals
don't always stay in the material; they can seep out into food and drink and be
consumed."
According to Wagner, the extent to which plastic packaging leads
to weight gain is unknown, making deciding whether you should avoid it
altogether more complex.
At the very least, Wagner advises limiting plastic use whenever
possible, particularly regarding the two main culprits, bisphenols and
phthalates. According to another recent study published in the Journal of
Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, this is true for takeout or
groceries.
In that study, phthalates were found in various wrappers and
containers of fast food from six different restaurants, with the highest
concentrations in meat-based items like burritos and hamburgers.
Furthermore, it's not just food that could be a problem. According
to the Centers for Disease Control, these chemicals are included in hundreds of
products, including personal care items like shampoo and soap.
Although you may not avoid certain chemicals, Wagner says that being aware of them can help you cut down on them. That could give your metabolism a break it needs and maybe even prevent some weight gain along the way.