Is Take Away Foods in Plastic Containers Taking Away Your Heart Health?

Are you confused? Is it the food or the food-carrying container that is destroying your heart health? Truly, it's not the food; it’s the food-packed container that is the culprit.

A peer-reviewed study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety ⁽¹⁾ by Chinese researchers revealed a potential link between eating from plastic containers and an increased risk of congestive heart failure.

The two-part study includes over 3,000 people in China and experiments on rats. In the first phase, researchers examined over 3,000 people to analyze the frequency with which those who ate from plastic containers had heart disease. ⁽²⁾ The data from this population-based study revealed that high-frequency exposure to plastic containers is significantly associated with an increased risk of heart failure.

In the second phase, researchers exposed Sprague-Dawley rats to leachates by boiling water in disposable takeout plastic containers for one minute, five minutes, and 15 minutes, respectively, over three months.

After the intervening period, the fecal samples of the rats were taken to study the gut microbiome and metabolomics analysis. Moreover, the rats' heart tissue was also studied using staining and electron microscopy. ⁽¹⁾

The fecal analysis of the rats revealed that the beta diversity and composition of gut microbiota had changed. Additionally, the heart tissue of the rats was found to be damaged due to inflammation and oxidative stress.

While the specific responsible chemicals were not identified, the study builds on existing research linking common plastic compounds like BPA (bisphenol A), phthalates, and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to various health problems. ⁽²⁾ Plastic products like DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) and BPA can disrupt endocrine function and signaling pathways, in turn linking them to higher risks of heart disease, inflammation, heart attacks, angina, and hypertension. ⁽⁴⁾

Based on the above studies, it is clear that even short-term exposure to chemicals from plastic containers in contact with hot water or food can induce changes in cardiac tissue, gut microbiota, and metabolites, all of which are linked to cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, research is still ongoing to determine the impact of long-term exposure to plastic products and their accumulation and distribution in tissues and organs. All these studies highlight the evidence of health risks associated with eating food from plastic containers.

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” – Ann Wigmore.

To protect your health, avoid eating hot foods in plastic containers and use alternatives like glass, wood, or stainless steel containers.

References:

1. Impact of Microplastics and Associated Chemicals on Cardiovascular Health." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 250, 2024, 114593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.114593.

2. Aldridge, Randy. "Those Plastic Takeout Containers Might Come With a Free Side of Heart Problems." North Carolina Medical Society, February 13, 2025. https://ncmedsoc.org/those-plastic-takeout-containers-might-come-with-a-free-side-of-heart-problems.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Ansila S/MSM)