If you boil 'this' in a small pot, aluminum will melt... Caution for kidney disease patients

There are many restaurants that serve kimchi stew in aluminum pots. It looks appetizing, but it is not healthy. Aluminum from the pots can leach into the kimchi stew.

A 양은냄비 is a pot made by coating aluminum with an aluminum oxide film. Due to its high thermal conductivity, it boils water faster than regular pots, making it frequently used for boiling ramen or stews. However, there is a possibility that the soft metal aluminum may leach into the food during cooking, so pots made from other materials such as stainless steel have begun to replace 양은냄비.

Aluminum is not fatal to the body. Only about 1% of exposure is absorbed into the body, and most of it is excreted through the kidneys in urine. However, if it accumulates in the body over a long period, it can have adverse effects on the brain, kidneys, and other organs. It can also cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Additionally, it can interfere with metabolism and energy circulation, making the body easily fatigued, and in severe cases, it may lead to frequent headaches, hyperparathyroidism, and potassium metabolism disorders. It is not deadly, but consuming large amounts offers no benefit.

When using a lamb pot, do not use a metal scrubber or sharp metal tools to prevent the surface coating from peeling off. If the coating peels off, aluminum will leach out more easily. If the coating has already peeled off, discard it. Before using a newly purchased lamb pot, boiling water once can make the aluminum oxide coating more durable.

Meanwhile, to prevent aluminum leaching into food, caution should be exercised with aluminum foil. When camping, people often place aluminum foil on cooking utensils and grill meat, but if they cook it together with highly salty and acidic kimchi, there is a risk of aluminum leaching.

<Source: Health Chosun>