Ever heat up leftovers in a plastic container?
You might want to rethink that.
A recent study found something that should make all of us pause.
Out of roughly 14,000 chemicals used in food packaging, researchers detected more than 3,600 of them inside human bodies. Not in factories or labs. In real people.
They showed up in blood. In breast milk. Even in hair samples.
These aren’t harmless compounds either.
We’re talking about chemicals like PFAS, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Substances known for interfering with hormones, metabolism, and long-term health.
Here’s the part most people don’t realize.
Heat and fat dramatically increase how fast these chemicals move out of packaging and into food.
That means reheating leftovers, microwaving takeout, or pouring hot, oily food into plastic is basically the worst-case scenario.
Microwaving takeout in the original container? Big mistake.
And cardboard isn’t the safe alternative people assume it is.
Many paper and recycled paper packages are treated with coatings, residues, or grease-resistant chemicals that also migrate into food when hot.
Before this turns into a “burn everything you own” situation, know this...
Cold storage in plastic is far less concerning than heating. Occasional exposure isn’t the same as daily habits. You don’t need to throw out your kitchen today.
But there are a few easy wins.
When food is hot, use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic. Reheat on the stove, in the oven, or a toaster oven instead of the microwave. Avoid putting hot or fatty foods into plastic whenever you can.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about lowering your daily load.
Chemical exposure today isn’t about one dramatic event. It’s about small amounts, over and over, for years. And while the body is remarkably good at detoxifying, it works best when it’s not being overwhelmed nonstop.
Start with one change. Just one.
Next time you reheat food, skip the plastic.
Here's a simple post about some great low-tox food storage options out there.
I’ll share more simple ways to reduce everyday chemical exposure without turning life upside down in future emails.
As always, to your health and healing,