While many people are concerned about the ingredients in their food, they often overlook the potential harm caused by the materials used in their cookware. Although aluminum cookware is not strongly linked to dementia, there are concerns about nonstick coatings such as Teflon.
Teflon is made with PFAS chemicals, which are known as forever chemicals because they break down slowly in the environment and can accumulate in the body, leading to serious health issues such as cancer and reproductive problems. Therefore, it’s important to avoid non-stick cookware and opt for alternatives like stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron or ceramic-coated cookware.
Brands like Caraway and Greenpan received top ratings for their ceramic coatings in Consumer Reports’ tests, while Tramontina and Staub stood out among cast-iron pans. However, it’s important to ensure that your cookware is free of PFAS or PTFE and follow the manufacturer’s use and care instructions. Using soft utensils and avoiding stacking can also help prolong the life of your cookware.
In addition to cookware, it’s also important to be mindful of other harmful substances that can enter our food, such as microplastics and plastic chemicals like BPA. To reduce exposure, consider switching to glass or stainless-steel food storage containers and using utensils made from other materials. By being mindful of these factors, we can make informed choices that will reduce our risk of harmful substances entering our food and impacting our health.
