BLOG 158 BPAs
Eat this. Don’t eat that. Drink this. Don’t drink that. We hear confusing, changes, messages all the time from the news, internet, and social media about what is best for our bodies and what should be ruled out. BPA is on the list for me as another one of these confusions. How can drinking out my water bottle be bad for me?? All I want to do is drink water, which I’m told I’m supposed to do, but now it has to be out a certain type of bottle??
The FDA is looking into BPA. Let’s start with defining this entity: “BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s” (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331). The research isn’t 100% yet about the side effects. The chemical is basically everywhere because plastic is everywhere. The chemical hardens plastics. However, it can seep into our foods and liquids. SO the reality is this: “More than 90% of us have BPA in our bodies right now. We get most of it by eating foods that have been in containers made with BPA. It’s also possible to pick up BPA through air, dust, and water” (https://www.webmd.com/children/bpa#1).
Here are the concerns:
1. Hormones: BPA might act like a hormone so it can disrupt our body’s hormones
2. Brain and behavior: it may alter these
3. Cancer: possibly from ongoing exposure
4. Heart problems: studies show that people with higher levels are more likely to have these
5. Infants and children at risk: because many bottles and baby products use BPA that are exposed at an early age when the body is not able to fight off substances
(https://www.webmd.com/children/bpa#2).
Alternatives to BPA can be found and used. Start with glass containers and jars. Minimize plastic and can use. Keep what plastics you do use cool and don’t put them in the microwave because BPA can leach. Look for non-toxic and BPA free toys and products.
Better safe than sorry and since BPA has only been in use since the 1960s we truly don’t know the long-term side-effects. Chemicals are everywhere even in the air we breathe. We can only control what we can control. Every small, better, choice counts. Guess that means you will have to start eating fresh fruits and vegetables and brings glass cups to the studio ?