Plastic containers contribute to obesity?
Last Updated Sep 2007
Q: I saw an article in Men's Health magazine that quotes a research article claiming that heating food in plastic containers contributes to obesity. Apparently, a chemical (phthalates) is released from the plastic, ingested, and excreted in the urine. Individuals with the highest urine concentrates had the largest waistlines. Is there any truth to this?
Robert
A: Dear Robert,
Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, and there is enough evidence to link them as a secondary factor in obesity. The body's initial response to put these phthalates in a safe storage site (your adipose tissue) increases the production of new fat cells. But eventually as the phthalate levels rise, they spill into the blood and eventually show up in the urine. Bottom line: Always use glass containers when heating foods and try to avoid soft plastic bottles as much as possible as they contain higher levels of phthalates compared to denser plastic bottles.