One factor that can have a very large influence on your health that you must know about is BPA. BPA stands for bisphenol A and is an industrial chemical that is used to create plastics for the last half a century.

This chemical is typically found in any of the soft (and sometimes hard) plastic bottles that you drink out of and can also be found in some Tupperware containers as well.

It’s also a chemical that you need to do everything you can to avoid. Let’s go over why and give you some ideas on how to live a BPA free lifestyle.

Problems Associated With BPA

The big problem with BPA is that while it is used to make these plastic containers and you are not eating the plastic containers, it can seep from the plastic into the food or drink that is contained within. This then transfers into your bloodstream and can have harmful effects on the human body.

It moves into the blood stream and can influence brain function as well as behavior, and is especially harmful to women who are pregnant as it can pass directly into the fetus.

BPA may also be linked to high blood pressure levels as well, so could potentially be damaging to your heart. If you feel like you are doing everything right nutritionally speaking but still experience elevated blood pressure levels, this could very well be why.

BPA is also linked to some forms of cancer as well and while it may not cause it directly, it can increase your risk factor for developing cancer later on in life.

Finally, those who consume higher amounts of BPA on a regular basis are also more at risk for a number of other health concerns such as diabetes, ADHD, as well as obesity. While there is again not a direct link to these conditions, the risk factor is higher so when presented with other contributing factors, your chances of falling ill will be greater.

How to Stay BPA Free:

To keep yourself free of BPA, the best thing to do is to start looking for BPA free bottles and Tupperware containers. If a container does not have BPA, you can rest assured it will usually be advertised somewhere on the package label. With more and more people avoiding this, marketers are doing all they can to ensure customers that their safety is a top concern.

Next, try drinking out of glass whenever possible. This will reduce any potential exposure to BPA entirely and will also help save the environment while you’re at it.

It’s also important that you reduce your reliance on canned food as well as many cans also contain BPA containing resin. Most people are unaware of this and think that plastic bottles are the only offender, but this isn’t the case.

Avoid microwaving food or drink in plastic containers and instead find BPA free, microwave friendly plastic containers.

You should be avoiding cans as part of your health eating approach anyway, therefore this just gives you all the more reason to do so.

Finally, avoid heating any sort of containers with food inside. Always transfer your food to a plate or another glass cooking container and then reheat from there. Even if you are using BPA plastic Tupperware, this is still a smart move.

So there you have some of the top things to know and remember about BPA. It’s something that too many people are constantly overlooking but can really impact you over time.