Are CHEMICALS found in food packaging making us FAT?

Plasticisers in food packaging may mess with hormones and lead to weight gain

 

Exposure to chemicals found in food packaging could be messing with hormones and triggering weight problems even in "low concentrations", warn scientists.

Phthalates - chemicals that make plastic more flexible - may get into food and become ingested.

Found in food packaging, they are most commonly transferred from containers of fatty products like cheese and sausages but can also get in to our bodies through the skin.

 

Packaging containing fatty foods, like sausages, may be worse type of food container

 

When such "plasticisers" enter someone’s body, it may have knock on effects for a person’s hormones.

The researchers warned exposure to phthalates - which can also be found in vinyl flooring and tablecloths - may alter metabolic processes.

Metabolic processes affect the rate at which you burn energy, therefore calories - as a consequence any disruption may cause weight gain.

 

Exposure to phthalates may alter metabolic processes

 

Dr Martin von Bergen, from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany said: “It is evident that phthalates seriously interfere with the hormone balance.

“The give rise to significant changes, e.g. weight gain, even in low concentrations.”

The researchers determined that the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the blood increased and the glucose metabolism was disrupted under the influence of phthalates. 

  

Researchers plan to explore this exciting link even further to establish the full impact

 

The composition of receptors in the blood also changed. These receptors are important for general metabolism and may cause it to develop.

The study’s authors said as there’s no conclusive clarification on how the chemical impacts metabolism and encourages weight gain, they will continue to research the link and evaluate findings.

The research was published in the PLOS one journal.