3 Toxins to Remove From Your Kitchen Immediately
This nutrition bite looks into the often overlooked toxins lurking in your kitchen. As the heart of the home, it’s crucial to keep your kitchen clean and lessen the toxic load by removing carcinogenic chemicals that you may be unaware of.
WHY You Need to Remove Toxins From Your Kitchen
Did you know that nearly 10 million people worldwide are dying of cancer every year? This large number doesn’t just cover the ‘typical’ cancer profile of obese people eating unhealthy food and living a sedentary lifestyle.
Some of these people are vegans, avid exercisers, non-smokers, etc. It may seem unfair, but the numbers show that even people living a “healthy” lifestyle can get cancer. Every 30 seconds, an American is diagnosed with cancer and every 90 seconds, another person dies from it.
The craziest fact about cancer is, it’s estimated that more than 90% of cancer cases are due to lifestyle factors while only 5-7% is from genetics. [1]
As briefly touched on, people who live healthy lifestyles aren’t exempt from cancer. Why is this? Well, preventing cancer is so much more than the food we eat. And that’s coming from a food-focused company! Cancer-causing toxins can build up in our body from many sources, and this ‘toxic load’ plays a significant role in a person’s cancer risk.
One MAJOR source of toxins that’s often overlooked comes from your kitchen!
To get an idea of how many toxins you may be exposed to on a daily basis, here are 3 carcinogenic (aka cancer-causing) toxins typically found in the kitchen.
Remove These 3 Toxins From Your Kitchen ASAP
1. N-Nitroso (Nitrites)
As if you needed another reason to go plant-based, N-nitroso is an additive that’s used as a flavor enhancer and bacteria inhibitor in processed meat. Cancer Prevention Research has found that eating N-nitroso increases the risk of bowel and stomach cancer [3].
Look out for this chemical in bacon, ham, burger patties, sausages and deli meat. On food labels, it’s often listed as ‘nitrites’.
If you or a loved one still include processed meats in your diet, consider replacing some, if not all, of it with plant-based sources of protein like tofu, tempeh, and beans, which can be just as tasty, but don’t increase your chances of cancer. (In fact, they reduce your risk!)
2. Bisphenol A (BPA)
Many people have heard that it’s best to steer clear of BPA, but it’s always worth mentioning, because this stuff is in more than just plastic water bottles; it’s everywhere! From the lining of food cans, to jar lids, to plastic bottles, BPA is a tough chemical to avoid for the unaware consumer.
The FDA has marked this chemical as ‘safe at low levels,’ but do you really want to add to your body’s toxic load, especially when you can avoid it? The fact is, BPA has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer. [4]
Additionally, though an isolated exposure may fall within the safe, low level range, it does not reflect the reality that most people’s levels are higher due to repeated contact with BPA.
Do yourself (and the environment) a favor and avoid plastic products where you can. For food storage, stainless steel, glass, or ceramic containers are safer, longer lasting alternatives. When it comes to store bought products, look for canned goods that specifically state they are BPA free.
3. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
If you use non-stick cookware, you’re likely exposing your body to Perfluorooctanoic acid, a chemical found in non-stick pots, pans, baking trays, and food packaging.
PFOA is highly toxic. It increases risk of hormone imbalances, liver damage, immune system damage and cancer. [5] [6]
While the convenience factor of non-stick cookware is super…well, convenient, it definitely is NOT worth putting your health at risk. Stick (pun intended) to stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron cookware to keep yourself and those you cook for safe from this carcinogenic chemical.