What is BPA and is it healthy?

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BPA is an industrial chemical that can contaminate food and drink. Some experts say that BPA is toxic and that people should make an effort to stay away from it. But perhaps you still wonder if it's really that dangerous? This article provides detailed information about BPA and its health effects.

1. What is BPA?

BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical that is heavily added to the composition of commercial products, including food containers and personal hygiene items.
Although it was first discovered in the 1890s, it was not until the 1950s that chemists realized that mixing BPA with other ingredients would increase the plasticity and strength of the product.
Today, BPA-containing plastics are commonly used to make food containers, baby bottles, and other products. BPA is also used to make epoxy resins, which are applied to the inside layers of food containers to keep metal from corroding and breaking.

2. Which products contain BPA?

Common products that may contain BPA include:
Items packaged in plastic. Canned food. Toiletries. Feminine hygiene products. Thermal receipt paper. CDs and DVDs. Household electronic products. Glasses. Sports equipment. Dental sealant. It is worth noting that many products are labeled BPA-free because merely the manufacturing company has replaced the substance with BPS (bisphenol-S) and BPF (bisphenol-F).
But even small concentrations of BPS and BPS can be as harmful to cell function as BPA. Therefore, choosing BPA-free plastic bottles is not the right solution.
Plastic products labeled with recycling numbers 3 to 7 or with the word “PC” most likely contain BPA, BPS or BPF.

3. How does BPA enter your body?

The main source of exposure to BPA is through eating.
Not all amounts of BPA are fully bonded when containers are manufactured. This allows some of the BPA to escape to the surface and come into contact with the item inside the container.
For example, a recent study found that BPA levels in urine decreased by 66% after 3 days when participants avoided packaged foods.
In another study, participants were given fresh foods or canned soups daily for 5 days. The amount of BPA detected in the urine of people who consumed canned soup was 1.221% higher than that of those who ate fresh food.
Plus, the World Health Organization reports that BPA levels in breast-fed babies are up to eight times lower than in babies who are formula-fed with BPA-containing bottles.

4. Does BPA have adverse health effects?

Many experts consider BPA to be harmful -- but others disagree.
The following section explains what BPA does in the body and why it is still controversial.

4.1 Biological mechanism of BPA

BPA is thought to mimic the structure and function of the hormone estrogen.
Because this substance is similar in shape to estrogen, BPA can bind to estrogen receptors and affect body processes, such as growth, cell repair, development. of the fetus, active energy, and reproduction.
Furthermore, BPA can also bind to other hormone receptors, such as altering the function of thyroid receptors.
Our bodies are very sensitive to changes in hormone levels, which is why BPA's ability to mimic estrogen is believed to affect the body.

4.2 The BPA controversy

As the information given above, many people wonder why BPA should be banned.
Use of this substance has been restricted in the EU, Canada, China and Malaysia - especially in products intended for infants and young children.
Several US subcommittees have adopted legislation for this chemical, but no federal regulation has yet been established.
In 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its latest report, which confirmed the official 1980s daily exposure limit of 50 micrograms BPA per kilogram and concluded that BPA is safe at acceptable levels.
However, studies in rodents have shown that the negative effects of BPA appear to be much lower than permissible levels.
Furthermore, studies in monkeys show that BPA levels at levels comparable to humans affect their reproduction.
A revealing survey of studies sponsored by industrial companies did not show any known BPA. Meanwhile, up to 92% of studies that did not receive funding from industry companies found the negative effects of BPA startling startlingly.

4.3 BPA can cause infertility in both men and women

BPA can affect many aspects of fertility.
An observational study found that women with frequent miscarriages had three times higher blood BPA levels than women with successful pregnancies.
Furthermore, studies in women undergoing fertility treatments also show that high BPA levels cause these women to have less egg production and up to 2 times less likely to become pregnant. .
Among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), those in which the husband had high BPA levels had 30 to 46% lower quality embryos.
A separate study found that men with BPA levels 3 to 4 times higher than normal had low sperm concentrations and counts.
Plus, men who work at BPA manufacturing companies in China report that it's 4.5 times harder to get an erection and lower sexual satisfaction compared to other men. .

4.4 Negative effects on young children

Most (but not all) studies have found that infants whose mothers were exposed to BPA at work weighed 0.2 kg less at birth than children whose mothers were not exposed to BPA. This substance.
Babies born to parents exposed to BPA also have shorter anal-to-genital distances, which indicates hormone disruption during fetal development.
Furthermore, babies born to mothers with higher BPA levels tend to be more prone to hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression. These children also showed 1.5 times more emotional reactivity and 1.1 times more aggression.
Finally, exposure to BPA in early life has also been implicated in an increased risk of prostate and breast tissue cancers.
However, although there are many animal studies that support that the effects of BPA in humans are very negative, human studies have been less conclusive.

4.5 Associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Human studies show a 27 to 135% greater risk of developing high blood pressure in people with high BPA levels. What's more, a survey of 1,455 Americans linked BPA to an 18 to 63% higher risk of heart disease and a 21 to 60% higher risk of diabetes.
In another study, high BPA levels were associated with a 68 to 130% higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
People with high BPA levels have a 37% higher risk of insulin resistance, the main cause of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
However, there are few studies that show no link between BPA and these conditions.

4.6 May increase the risk of obesity

Obese women have 47% higher BPA levels than normal weight women.
Some studies also report that people with high BPA levels are 50 to 85 percent more likely to be obese and 59 percent more likely to have a larger-than-normal waistline -- although not all studies agree. agree with this result. Similar signs are seen in children and adolescents.
Although prenatal exposure is associated with increased body weight in animals. This has yet to be confirmed in humans.

4.7 May cause other health problems

BPA exposure has also been linked to some of the following health problems:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): BPA levels were 46% higher in women with PCOS when compared with those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women do not have this disease. Premature birth: Women with higher than normal levels of BPA seem to have a 91% chance of giving birth before 37 weeks. Asthma: prenatal exposure to BPA is associated with a 130% higher risk of wheezing in babies under 6 months of age. Exposure to BPA at an early age can cause wheezing to persist into later life. Liver function: High BPA levels were associated with a 29% increased risk of abnormal liver enzymes. Immune function: High levels of BPA also contribute to a weakened immune system. Thyroid function: High BPA levels are also associated with thyroid hormone abnormalities, indicating impaired thyroid function. Brain function: African green monkeys exposed to BPA (which has been evaluated for safety by the US Environmental Protection Agency) showed a loss of connectivity between brain cells.

4.8 How to reduce BPA exposure

With all the negative effects this substance has potential. You'll probably want to stay away from BPA.
Although it is very difficult to get rid of BPA, there are a few ways to minimize their exposure to this chemical:
Avoid packaged foods: Eat mainly fresh, whole foods. matter. Limit the use of canned foods and foods packaged in plastic packaging that has the recycling label 3 to 7 or the words “PC”. Drink water from glass containers: Buy water that is sold in glass bottles instead of plastic or cans, and use small glass water bottles instead of plastic ones. Stay away from BPA-containing products: Limit your exposure to receipts as much as possible because they contain a lot of BPA. Choose toys for your baby : Be sure that the toys you buy for your child are made from BPA-free materials -- especially those that young children can chew or suck with their mouths. Don't microwave plastic containers : Reheat and store food in glass containers. Buy infant formula: Some experts recommend using powdered milk instead of liquid because liquids are more likely to absorb plastic from the container. Given the overwhelming evidence about BPA's toxicity, it's important to take steps to limit your exposure to BPA and other food toxins. In particular, it is very beneficial for pregnant women to avoid exposure to BPA -- especially in the early stages of pregnancy. We don't have to worry about occasionally drinking water from BPA-made plastic bottles or eating canned foods.
Even so, ditching plastic containers and opting for BPA-free ones instead requires a bit of effort but can have huge health benefits.
If you aim to eat fresh, whole foods, you will automatically limit your exposure to BPA.
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Articles refer to sources: healthline.com, mayoclinic.org, webmd.com

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