Those who cannot wait to experience the morning bliss of this widely consumed drink may need to invent a different habit due to the terrible findings on the PFAS chemical contamination.
Although we are all trying to keep our bodies in the right
shape by exercising, sleeping enough, and tending to our relationships, we
forget about the last, however, equally important factor—proper nutrition.
Nonetheless, a new study, done by scientists from the University of Southern
California Keck School of Medicine and funded by the National Institutes of
Health, says that it’s become a necessity to review our understanding of the
so-called PFAS. One of the major issues is the
fact that, by way of our healthy diet, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,
otherwise known as PFAS, are literally infiltrating us.
Phocused on PFAS lately, and no doubt it is rightly so. Like
hard-to-wash stains, these persistent hormone disruptors are found in countless
products, ranging from our furniture to our raincoats. They are known to
threaten health, contaminate nearly half of tap water, and possibly cause
hormonal cancer.
Shown in a new light, they are particularly highlighted by an
article in the peer-reviewed journal Environment International (February 2024)
as a factor behind teas, processed meats, and the very food packaging
structure. The above press release issued by the university quotes Jesse
A. Here Mr. Goodrich, an
assistant professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School
of Medicine and the senior author of the study is worth mentioning. He says, "To
our knowledge, it is the first one that examined the effect of dietary factors
on the levels of PFAS for repeated time points. We can understand that changing
diets might lead to a reduction in PFAS levels."
The Instructions For The Study.
The researchers
followed two groups of young adults: the Hispanic CHS group, which represents
their local area in California, and a nationally representative sample of
NHANES. Participants answered questions about their meals, such as
how many times microwave meals vs. restaurant meals were the choice, and the
researchers could estimate their food packaging exposure by using that
information.
Study subjects were required to give blood samples for PFAS
analysis to monitor different levels of PFAS. Individuals in
the CHS group went through the test two times, first at about 20 years old and
then again at around 24. This data was compared to a single sample when
participants in the NHANES group were about 19 years old.
The Results
During the initial visit and follow-up analysis, the CHS
members reported the highest tea consumption, and compared to these
participants, they showed a significantly higher level of PFAS compounds. If
this serving of tea was an extra ounce, there would be a 24% reduction in the
risk of contracting dementia or Alzheimer’s. 8% of
cumulative Per Fluoro Hexane Sulphonic-acid (PFHxS) levels
increased to 16. Consequently, the total amount of Per Fluoro Heptane Sulfonic-acid (PFHpS) at the
lower level rose by 17%. 6% elevated PFNA level.
Tea, of Course, Was Not The Only One Here.
During the initial examination, those who admitted to eating
pork foods in larger portions had elevated blood concentrations of PFAS.
Subsequently, for every additional serving of pork found in their diet, levels
of PFAS increased by 13%. Increase rate of 4% of PFOA
perfluorooctanoic acid.
The researchers got the same results with the NHANES group:
subjects who were exposed to more supplementary tea, hot dogs, and processed
meats showed an increased PFAS level, irrespective of which one. Dr.
Goodrich states that this observation indicates the nationwide nature of the
problem, not something that is pertinent to a specific locale.
The Power of Home Cooking
This is a good side, but the study shows that going for home
cooking can make a difference in reducing PFAS exposure. Those
who admitted that it was easier for them to eat more food prepared at home had
lower levels of Per-Fluoro-Octane-Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)
than those who ate more food produced outside of their homes. By
9% at the initial stage. Find an association of 6%
decrease stuck at follow-up for every 200-gram increase in homemaking food.
Another Thing About Prevention Is
Self-Care
In summation, the key lesson of the research priorities
for a healthy PFAS-free diet should be fresh, homemade foods from natural,
low-processing sources, no matter how much you enjoy those popular seasonal
delicacies, of which moderation is the key issue.
But for preserving our own health, it is not just us that
should be doing this part as well. The findings
of the study underline the importance of tough controls on foods and beverages
for PFAS contamination since it may seem safe to perceive that even some
conventional items like tea contain harmful chemicals.
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