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A world-leading scientist has issued a stark warning to those microwaving their leftovers
You should ‘never’ heat your food up in plastic containers, a scientist says(Image: Getty Images)
Many of us are guilty of reheating leftover food in the microwave, whether it is a quick office lunch or a hurried meal at home. But a leading scientist has now warned anyone heating their food up in their plastic containers that this poses significant health concerns.
Dr. Shanna Swan, a world-renowned epidemiologist, raised the caution during an appearance on the Huberman Lab podcast, hosted by fellow renowned scientist Andrew Huberman.
Dr. Huberman asked about a common assumption regarding microwave-safe plastics, asking: “Is it true that microwave-safe just means that the plastic won’t melt in the microwave?.” To which Dr. Swan immediately interjected with an urgent message: “Never, never put plastic in a microwave.”
She elaborated further, highlighting the potential hazards associated with reheating food in plastic containers: “Here’s the story: the BPA, phthalates, plasticisers are added to the plastic but they’re not chemically bound to it.”
These phthalates act as binding agents and contribute to the flexibility of plastics, but recent research has raised serious health issues, including asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development, and decreased male fertility.
BPA, a chemical commonly used in the production of various plastics, is found in items ranging from food containers and baby bottles to plastic water bottles, reports Bristol Live.
Dr. Shanna Swan Ph.D is a world-leading scientist
It’s associated with numerous health issues like cancer, infertility, endometriosis, obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes due to its potential to seep into food and beverages. Notably, since the 1960s, BPA has been a staple in food packaging; however, concerns over its leaching abilities have persisted.
According to findings presented by Healthline, exposure to BPA is so prevalent that “research suggests most people over the age of six have measurable amounts of BPA in their urine”.
The report continues: “One study found that about 85% of Korean children under two years old had detectable levels of BPA in their urine.” This underscores the significant reach of BPA within populations.
A plasticiser, as mentioned by Dr Swan, is a substance added to materials to increase their pliability. Dr Swan cautions: “So if you put anything in a container that has these chemicals in it and then put it in a hot environment, they will come out of the plastic and go into the food.
“So if you put it in a microwave or you put your bottle in the car and the sun comes in and warms up the bottle then the stuff goes into your water. You don’t want to mix these chemicals and your food but, if you do, the worst thing is to do it in a heated environment.”
This statement advises against heating food in containers that might contain BPA, highlighting the risks of chemical transfer in warm conditions
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