Do Plastics Make You Fat?
Published: 9 July 2009
Category: Bisphenol A (BPA), Packaging CONCERNS, Studies/State & Federal Regulations
“The Daily Green” reports four surprising factors, including stress, lack of sleep, endocrine disrupting chemicals and baby formula, all make people gain weight and could cause obesity. Obesogens, or chemicals that disrupt hormones that regulate our metabolism, may cause people to gain weight, especially when pregnant women or very young children are exposed. Some research suggests that bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen, makes lab rats pack on extra weight, regardless of their diet. In humans, BPA has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Another common chemical, phthalates, which are found in soft plastics, may affect normal development of boys by reducing testosterone levels.