There’s nothing particularly exciting about plastic containers, but they sure do come in handy when it’s time to store your food or pack your lunch for work in the morning, right? Well, it turns out that the convenience may not be worth it.
According to a recent study conducted by New York University Langone Medical Center and published in the journal Hypertension, microwaving your food in plastic containers could put you at a higher risk of high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
These findings aren’t at all far-fetched considering the fact that the harmful chemicals in plastic can leak into your food when microwaved.The compounds di-isononyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate are often used in products, including soap, plastic wrap and plastic containers and have been linked to hypertension and diabetes, particularly in children and adolescents.
Lead researcher Leonard Trasande, MD, said (in a statement) the following about the findings:
“Our research adds to growing concerns that environmental chemicals might be independent contributors to insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and other metabolic disorders.”
Furthermore, here are a few tips and alternatives to storing food:
- Use glass or ceramic containers.
- Look for containers and water bottles with a “BPA Free” label.
- Never put plastic in the dish washer.
- Throw away any plastic containers that are overused.
- Avoid containers marked with the numbers 3, 6 and 7 or “PVC” (polyvinyl chloride).
For more great articles, click here.
