THESE kitchen items are leaking toxins into your food, top US doc warns

How you prepare or store your food is just as important as what you eat. Many kitchen utensils and containers you may be using have hidden risks. Some of these everyday kitchen items are even leaking toxins into your food. Yes, that’s right. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard and Stanford-trained gastroenterologist based in California, has warned about the harmful toxins these kitchen tools could be adding to your food. Should you be concerned? Let’s dive deeper.

Beware of storage containers and utensils

Most Americans like the idea of meal prep as it saves time. But if you are storing these foods or leftovers in plastic containers, it's high time that you think about how it's affecting your health. “The containers you store your food in might be causing more harm than you realize,” Dr. Sethi said.


The toxins leaking into the food are not just limited to food storage containers. In fact, the risk starts with your morning coffee. “When you pour hot coffee, tea, or soup into plastic cups, they can release thousands of microplastics into your drink,” the doctor warns.


Multiple studies have shown that microplastics are now being found in the human body. Microplastics were detected in the human placenta and even in the semen of men. And food is one source that gets inside the body. “These microplastics act as hormone disruptors in your body. They mess with your natural hormone balance, which can affect everything from your weight to your energy levels,” the doctor explained in a newsletter.

According to Dr. Sethi, the problems worsen if you do the following things:

• You heat food in plastic containers
  
• You put hot beverages in plastic cups
  
• You store acidic foods in plastic
  

How to prevent these toxins from leaking into your food?Dr. Sethi has shared some practical ways to prevent toxins from leaking into your food. These are simple changes you can bring to your daily life.

• Use glass or ceramic containers for hot drinks
  
• Let hot food cool before putting it in plastic containers
  
• Switch to glass meal prep containers
  
• Use stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic
  

Microplastics are hormone disruptorsDr. Sethi emphasized that one of the crucial impacts of microplastics entering the body is that they disrupt the hormones, which can have a lasting effect on your health. “I've completely stopped buying plastic food containers because of these concerns. The hormone disruption isn't worth the convenience,” he said. “Your hormones control your weight, mood, and energy. Protecting them from microplastics is one of the easiest ways to support your overall health.”

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Start the switch today

In this case, the earlier, the better, is true. So, to protect your health and your loved ones, make the switch right away. “Start with just your morning coffee. Switch to a ceramic mug instead of plastic. Small changes add up to big health improvements!” the doctor said.