Instant foods vs. canned foods, which is worse for the heart?

 

Plastic containers increase the risk of heart disease

On the 15th of last month, the research team led by Professor Pınar Erkeçoğlu from the Department of Toxicology at Hacettepe University School of Pharmacy in Turkey published their findings in the international journal 'Nutrients'. The study analyzed the effects of bisphenol analogs on blood pressure and heart rate when consuming canned and instant foods. Instant food packaging such as cans, sandwiches, and lunchboxes contains plastics. The research team hypothesized that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics, specifically bisphenol analogs, could occur and conducted experiments accordingly. They confirmed exposure to bisphenol analogs including BPA, BPF, and BPS.

The research team divided 48 adults aged 18 to 30 into three groups and had them consume fresh food, canned food, and plastic-packaged instant food. The only difference was the packaging container; all foods were identical, including dishes with beans and olive oil, corn, chicken fillet, and salads with tomatoes. Subsequently, urine samples were collected, and blood pressure and heart rate were measured. As a result, it was confirmed that the BPA concentration in the urine of the group that ate plastic-packaged instant food was significantly higher than in the groups that ate canned and fresh foods. Exposure to BPS and BPF was also higher. Blood pressure was also found to be higher only in the group that consumed plastic-packaged instant food. The research team stated, "Further studies are needed to clearly confirm the correlation between bisphenol exposure from plastic-packaged instant foods and cardiovascular health."

BPA is the most representative contaminant that can be exposed through plastics. It is mainly used as a raw material for polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate is used in baby bottles, reusable plastic bottles, plates, cups, microwave containers, and storage containers, while epoxy resin is used for internal can coatings. When BPA enters our body, it acts similarly to the female hormone estrogen, disrupting the endocrine system. It is known that exposure increases the risk of precocious puberty, decreased sperm count, breast cancer, and diabetes.

Meanwhile, in our country, strict standards are applied for BPA leaching from canned goods, and plastics that do not contain BPA are mainly used for cup ramen containers and disposable beverage cups. Care should be taken when heating canned goods and plastic packaging containers, as toxic substances may leach out.