Exposure to BPA

What is BPA?

BPA is short for Bisphenol-A, which is a chemical that is commonly found in canned food. It is an organic compound with the formula C15H16O2. It was discovered in the 1850s, but by the 1950s, scientists realized that BPA could be used in plastics. Today, BPA is used in food containers, hygiene products, and other commercial products. BPA is extremely harmful to our bodies and it can cause many chronic health problems. In fact, an experiment in the laboratory found that BPA can even kill rats in small quantities. BPA is already being restricted in many countries such as Canada, China, and Malaysia.

How is BPA associated with canned food?

Cans for canned food are covered in epoxy resins, which prevents the can from breaking apart over a long period of time. Epoxy resins are made out of BPA, and this chemical contaminates the canned food. There is a strong positive correlation of BPA levels with the body and the amount of canned food eaten. According to healthline.com, a recent study discovered that BPA levels in a person’s urine decreased by a significant 66% after only three days of not eating canned food. Another study required one group of participants to eat canned soup for five days and the other group to eat fresh soup for five days. In the end, the group that ate canned soup had BPA levels 1,221% higher than the group that ate fresh soup.

Why are high BPA levels harmful?

BPA’s estrogen (estrogen is a hormone in the female reproductive system) like shape allows it to bind to estrogen receptors and therefore interferes with normal body processes. Some of these body processes include cell growth, cell repair, and reproduction. BPA can also mimic other hormones in the body. This ability of BPA that allows it to affect body processes is what causes it to be harmful to human health.

What are the harmful effects of high BPA levels?

Even small amounts of BPA in our body are linked to heart problems. Such problems include angina and heart attacks. Evidence supports that BPA can also cause type two diabetes and affect fetal brain development. High BPA levels are also associated with breast and prostate cancer, asthma, obesity, and infertility among men and women.

How can BPA be avoided?

Don’t eat food in cans or plastic because both of these things contain BPA. Instead, choose to eat fresh foods, which are not only BPA free, but also healthier than canned foods. Avoid plastic water bottles. Use glass or stainless steel water bottles. Don’t use toys that are made out of BPA-containing plastics because the BPA can leak.