Want another reason to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables? A new study has found that consuming them reduces the levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body.
The research, conducted by the Silent Spring Institute and published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, showed that a fresh food diet halves the amounts of bisphenol-A (BPA) and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) after three days. Food packaging is a major source of human exposure to BPA and DEHP, according to the study.
BPA, used in linings of food and beverage cans, can affect mammary and prostate glands, and the developing brain, lab studies have shown, says the Silent Spring Institute. DEHP, found in shower curtains, plastic food wrap, and some children’s toys can affect male reproductive health, including sperm quality, according to researchers.
“The good news is that this study provides evidence that replacing these chemicals with safer alternatives in food packaging would significantly reduce our exposures,” Silent Spring Institute representatives said in a statement on the organization’s website. “And it provides information you can use now to play it safe and reduce your exposure.”
Researchers say you can reduce exposure to the chemicals by:
• Not microwaving food in plastic containers.
• Eating more fresh or frozen foods rather than those that are canned.
• Dining in more often because people who tend to frequently eat out show higher levels of BPA, studies have found.
For more information about the study, go to the Silent Spring Institute website.
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