BPA – (Bisphenol A) is Harmful ?

BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. It's what's known as an endocrine disrupting compound. In the body, these chemicals can act like hormones or disrupt normal hormone functions.

In the 1950s, BPA was used in the first epoxy resins. Soon after, Bayer and General Electric discovered the molecules had a nifty trick: They could link together with a small connector compound to form a shiny, hard plastic known as polycarbonate.

Soon, BPA was everywhere: reusable water bottles, plastic plates, the liners in canned foods, sippy cups, grocery receipts, and even some dental sealants. But as people drank from their water bottles and ate their microwaved dinners, they were unknowingly dosing themselves with small amounts of BPA that leached from the plastic containers into their food and drink. BPA free water bottles was no where in the picture. 

The compound has since become so ubiquitous that of the 2,517 people tested in the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 93 percent had detectable levels of BPA in their urine.

Mounting public pressure pushed companies to move away from BPA, leading to an influx of products touting their “BPA free” status. But the FDA only officially bans the compound from use in baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula packaging. BPA free drink bottles NZ or BPA free water bottles NZ is yet to become readily available. 

Is ‘BPA free plastic" safe?

The evidence against so-called ‘BPA free’ plastics, including reusable plastic bottles, is alarming. Why? Since manufacturers need to continue producing plastic bottles to stay in business, they replace BPA with other synthesized chemicals that release oestrogens even more dangerous than BPA, such as BPS and BFP thus making them BPA free drink bottles. One study found that BPS, an alternative used in ‘BPA free’ bottles, had the same harmful effects on the body, including negative effects on oestrogen and the thyroid hormone system. Even worse, the cocktail of these chemicals together is doing even more damage to the body

Here's the takeaway, if it's plastic, there’s a good chance it’s got BPA in it. Ultimately, reusable plastic bottles advertised as ‘BPA free’ still pose a significant risk given the widespread use of alternative chemicals manufacturers use. Borosilicate glass is one of the very few materials you can be sure is BPA free and free of phthalates or other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

There are safe alternatives (BPA free) like PP#5 which is a thermoplastic polymer that has a very high resistance to heat, but be sure to check the product label or manufacturer website to ensure that such materials are actually used when claims of 'BPA free products' are made.

Different, But Not Necessarily Better

Since BPA free became trendy, manufacturers went on a plastic-developing spree, creating more variations than scientists can keep track of: BPS, BPF, BPAF, BPZ, BPP, BHPF, and the list goes on. They all have “BP” in their names because they share the same basic chemical structure of a bisphenol. Each new version has only slight differences, as if swapping a blue Lego block for a red one.

Negative effects of BPA

The toxic chemical has been linked to causing reproductive, immunity, and neurological problems, as well as an increased likelihood of Alzheimer's, childhood asthma, metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. BPA free drink bottles Some serious complications include:

Cancer

BPA can mimic oestrogen and other hormones and interact with certain cell receptors to promote the development of breast, ovary and prostate cancer. It could mitigate the effectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients – a cause for concern for anyone undergoing radiation therapy.

Infertility and Foetal Development

BPA has a negative effect on some foetal development processes. Essentially, BPA gets into the woman’s body and tricks the reproductive system into thinking it is a hormone. This blocks or changes what the body’s natural hormones are supposed to do and it has been shown to compromise the quality of the eggs a woman produces, as well as alter the DNA of the foetus, which can lead to birth defects. BPA adversely affecting male reproductive function. While BPA free drink bottles is not yet common, it continues a serious concern for us today, its effect on fertility and child development will affect future generations. 

Brain Function

Despite the FDA’s claims that current levels of BPA exposure are safe, there is much less consensus in the medical community, and BPA does appear to have effects on brain function. BPA prevents the removal of chloride from the central nervous system and also disrupts the way the brain regulates genes.

Excess chloride in the brain is known to be one of the key drivers of dementia, Alzheimer ’s disease, and other cognitive disorders. 

Heart Disease and Diabetes

Heart disease and diabetes brought on by obesity have reached near epidemic levels in the United States. Though it is primarily because of high-fat diets and processed foods, the BPA used in product packaging may also be a contributing factor. BPA exposure can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. 

Weight Problems

Bisphenol A can also contribute to weight gain. BPA can interfere with insulin production and resistance (wreaking havoc on your body’s control of blood sugar), and it can cause an increase in fat cell production. So, while you're running on that treadmill, it might be wise to leave your plastic water bottle at home. BPA free water bottles is the solution. BPA free water bottles NZ include highest-quality, non-toxic, contaminant-free borosilicate glass water bottles. 

Also Read : Aromatherapy – Vanquish Your Ailments

The Health Benefits of BPA Free Water Bottles NZ

A growing amount of research links Bisphenol A to some major health concerns, such as a higher risk of certain cancers, reduced fertility, diabetes, and birth defects. 

(Despite this evidence, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States refuses to acknowledge BPA’s risk, particularly to the female reproductive system.)

BPA free water bottles NZ reduce these concerns by eliminating the chemical from its material. BPA-free water bottles can be used without the risk of BPA consumption.