Wellness Wire
Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Eating fresh foods helps reduce Bisphenol-A levels, says study

BPA in cans

Toxicity levels in study participants dropped after just three days on fresh versus canned and packaged foods

Soaking beans overnight is a hassle, we know.

But it may seriously be worth it.

A study conducted by the Breast Cancer Fund and the Silent Spring Institute, published this month in the March issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, found that cutting packaged foods from your diet can significantly reduce levels of BPA (Bisphenol-A) in your body.

BPA is a chemical that has been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, ADHD, and other illnesses and is found in many plastics, the lining of cans, and on store receipts.

The study selected 20 participants in five families who reported that they frequently ate canned or packaged foods and put them on a three-day fresh-foods-only regimen. Their BPA levels were measured before and after. The results? The average participant’s levels dropped a whopping 60 percent after the fresh-food intervention. Participants with the highest initial levels saw a 75 percent drop in BPA in their bodies.

While completely eliminating packaged foods from your diet may be too much to ask, this study shows that a little effort goes a long way.

Plus, the Breast Cancer Fund created this handy card that you can download and keep in your wallet. It outlines the 10 canned foods that contain the highest levels of BPA , allowing you to quickly avoid the nasty chemical at the supermarket.

This way, you’ll have some extra time to spend chopping your fresh veggies. —Lisa Elaine Held

More Reading

Why you (and babies) should avoid Bisphenol-A
Are you polishing your skin with plastic?
Well+Good’s buzzkill guide to sustainable fish

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