I’ve gradually become more aware of the foods I eat. I’ve made many positive changes regarding my diet to reduce toxins coming into my body from pesticide residue. But it took me a while to see that what I cook my food in also matters. Cookware can add toxins to the foods we eat by releasing toxic fumes when heated at high temperatures. Let’s look at the worst offenders, better options with a few cautions, and how to choose the best in healthy and non-toxic cookware:
Worst Offenders:
Teflon/Nonstick coating cookware- One of the major chemicals in Teflon is a “forever chemical” called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). And what are we hearing about in the news every week but how dangerous these forever chemicals are to our health. PFOA now has research linking it to major chronic diseases such as hormone disruption, infertility, thyroid disease, and even cancer including liver, testicular, pancreatic, and breast cancers.
Cancer - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
breast cancer - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Thyroid - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20089...
What’s even more alarming is that on May 3, 2019 at the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva, Switzerland, more than 180 countries agreed to ban production and use of PFOA, and PFOS. cen.acs.org/environment/persi...
But what about the new nonstick coatings since 2013? Unfortunately, many contain another variation of forever chemicals (PFAS) which may prove to be no safer. Time will tell. Forever chemicals can accumulate in human tissue over time. www.sciencedirect.com/science...
A study in 2004 showed that PFOA and PFOS were present in 98% of the blood samples tested in the U.S.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007...
And what is our country doing about this? According to Bloomberg Law, “Laws and regulations restricting “forever chemicals” in more than a half dozen states are entering effect in 2023, including the start of a timeline for a first-in-the-nation ban on PFAS in all products in Maine.
news.bloomberglaw.com/environ...
Aluminum cookware - It’s a popular choice because it conducts heat rapidly which is great, but aluminum when heated can leach into your food. High aluminum levels have been linked to neurotoxic effects. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Better options with cautions:
Copper cookware - Although not as bad as aluminum, copper cookware or cookware mixed with a copper coating can leach copper into our food. Copper heats well and some is good for our bodies, but too much copper contributes to heavy metal toxicity.
Ceramic cookware - If you truly want nonstick cookware, this is your best option. Some improperly glazed ceramic cookware may contain lead especially if made in China or Mexico. If in doubt, you can test your ceramic cookware for lead using these lead check swabs. www.amazon.com/3M-71783420910... I
Cast Iron - Many experts in the health field agree that cast iron is safe to use. If you tend to have iron levels that are too high, you should avoid cast iron.
Best choices for cookware
Stainless Steel - It’s considered by many to be the safest cookware because high-quality stainless steel does not leach or corrode.
Approximately 90% of stainless steel cookware is multi-clad. This means there are layers of durable stainless steel with an aluminum core to create a surface that distributes the heat evenly and heats quickly. In my research, I found no integrative medical doctor or health practitioner who frowned upon using multi-clad stainless steel.
Glass - is both durable and non-toxic. It’s also great for baking casseroles, cakes, and breads in the oven.
Corning Ware - is one of the most eco-friendly, safe, non-toxic types of cookware around. A
Enamel-covered cast iron - I actually have one of these made by Le Creuset, and they are very expensive.
The best choices are definitely high-quality stainless steel, glass, corning ware, and enamel-covered cast iron such as Le Creuset.
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