Canned Foods Containing BPA That May Harm Your Hormones

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) made a report recently exposing many canned foods that contain BPA. BPA, also known as bisphenol A, is an industrial chemical used to manufacture plastic. You read that right: plastic. BPA has been previously removed from water bottles and baby formula packaging for obvious health concerns.

Sadly, 75% of canned foods in North America are still carriers of this harmful chemical, supposedly used to protect the food and the metal from outside bacteria. 

Harvard did a study back in 2012 to see the BPA quantity difference in urine between people who have had canned soup for a week and people who haven’t. The results were shocking: people who had canned soup had 10 times more BPA in their urine compared to the people who had fresh soup.

Another study also shows that for every 78 canned food products, 71 have BPA. Opinions on the consequences of BPA consumption are diverse. Some food administrations believe that it is safe as it is, but scientists say that constant consumption of this chemical can lead to serious health issues, such as breast cancer.

Which Brands Should Be Avoided

The previous EWG report used a survey of 252 different brands. Results show that more than 50% of the brands use BPA in all their products, and 24% of them use it for some of their products. Some of the brands that add bisphenol A to their canned goods are Brooks, Dining Out, Embasa, Field Day, Lucky Leaf, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wolf Brand Chili, and even the very popular Spam.

Furthermore, 31% of the sampled brands are BPA-free, but that’s not necessarily a good sign, since BPA replacements can be even more hazardous than this toxic chemical itself. These replacements can mess with your hormones the same way BPA does. Surely, there are also some safe canned goods brands, such as American Tuna, Bearitos, Genova, Health Valley, King Oscar, Port Clyde, Seneca, and Sprouts Farmers Market. Either way, if you ought to buy packaged food, opt for glass-packaged products over the canned ones.

The Damage Canned Foods Can Cause

Knowing all this, canned foods should always be a last-resort meal. Fresh and frozen food can be better alternatives for your health. Obviously, not to mention that the best option is always fresh food.

Besides the BPA from the can lining, canned goods contain high levels of sodium and added sugar, which can lead to several health issues as well, such as high blood pressure along with other cardiovascular problems. Fresh food doesn’t contain any additives that can harm your health. Remember that wise eating decisions lead to a better future for you.

The bottom line:

Canned foods can be a danger to your hormones because of the BPA they may contain. Some canned food brands are better to avoid to prevent any serious health issues in the future.