Processed Foods, Soft Drinks Linked To Harmful Chemicals

Pthalates have been found in the urine of 99.6 percent of Australian men in a pattern correlated to their intake of soft drinks.

AsianScientist (Apr. 24, 2015) – Researchers have found another important reason to avoid some processed foods with the discovery of a link between an unhealthy diet and exposure to potentially harmful chemicals—phthalates–that are used in common plastic food wrappings.

Academics from the University of Adelaide conducted a population study to investigate the association between socio-demographic status, lifestyle factors, dietary patterns and exposure of phthalates in Australian men. The research is published in the journal, PLOS ONE.

PhD student Mr. Peter Bai said while people are exposed to phthalates ubiquitously, diet was considered as the major contributor in the amount of phthalate exposure according to a number of international studies conducted in US, Europe, Canada and Asia.

“Phthalates are widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products to increase the transparency, flexibility and durability of plastic. They are also used in personal care products, medical devices, medications and dietary supplements,” said Bai, lead author on the paper.

The study found phtalates in almost all of the study participants and high incidences of unhealthy eating.

“Phthalates were detected in 99.6 percent of the study participants, demonstrating that there is high exposure to the chemicals in urban South Australia, and this is probably representative of all urban Australian areas.”

“We didn’t find a difference in the levels of phthalates detected according to socio-demographic status; however, participants who ate less fresh fruit and vegetables and more processed and packaged foods and drank carbonated soft drinks, had higher levels of phthalates in their urine,” he says.

Senior Research Fellow Dr. Shi Zumin says while we don’t yet know exactly what effect phthalates have on the body, we do know the chemicals impact the endocrine system.

“In recent times, there have been increased concerns from the public about phthalates and an association with detrimental health effects such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” says Shi. “And in this study we found that phthalates are associated with obesity.”

“Clearly more research is needed into the health effects of phthalates,” he says.

Bai says the best way to limit exposure to phthalates is to consume more fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts and fish, and less high fat, packaged and processed foods.

“The primary pathway for phthalates exposure is through consuming contaminated food, which is why diet is so important. Phthalates can also be absorbed by inhalation of air or dust containing the chemicals, and through the skin, but the expose is a lot less than if it is consumed,” says Bai.

The article can be found at: Bai et al. (2015) The Association Of Socio-Demographic Status, Lifestyle Factors And Dietary Patterns With Total Urinary Phthalates In Australian Men

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Source: The University of Adelaide; Photo: felixtriller.de/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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