Now back to aluminum.
Aluminum is a toxic metal, and when it makes its way into your body it can cause serious health problems.
Exposure to aluminum can cause fatigue, brain fog, confusion, slurred speech, muscle weakness, and — if you’re exposed over prolonged periods of time — major cognitive health issues.
You might know that aluminum can leach into food through pots and pans, utensils, cooking sheets, and aluminum foil.
But you might be surprised by how many foods and food additives contain aluminum — and many of us consume them daily.
Here are four of the worst foods and food additives containing aluminum:
#1 Tea
Studies have found that both green and black tea leaves contain high levels of aluminum.
This is because tea plants absorb aluminum from the soil at higher rates than nearly every other edible plant.
Worse, brewing tea leaves releases aluminum into the boiling water, making it more bioavailable.
Does this mean you should give up drinking tea? Not necessarily.
Herbal teas tend to have much lower levels of aluminum so they can be a good alternative to green and black tea.
#2 Processed Cheese
Processed cheese — including American cheese — is one of the biggest contributors of dietary aluminum.
The reason why is because many processed cheeses are made with an additive called sodium aluminum phosphate, which your body breaks down into aluminum.
If you have a Thanksgiving recipe that calls for processed cheese, consider swapping it out for a healthier ingredient.
#3 Packaged Baked Goods
Breads, cakes, muffins, and store bought pumpkin and pecan pies, are another big source of aluminum.
Many pre-packaged baked goods use aluminum as an anti-caking agent in flour. This ensures that the flour stays light and fluffy and doesn’t clump up.
Unsurprisingly, several studies have found high levels of aluminum in processed baked goods that use aluminum-based baking powder.
You probably don’t eat processed baked goods regularly.
But they can be tempting this time of year, especially if you don’t have time to bake Thanksgiving pies and desserts from scratch.
If possible, choose organic baked goods to lower your risk of aluminum exposure.
#4 Non-Dairy Creamer
I love sharing a pot of coffee with friends and family after Thanksgiving dinner.
If you’re serving coffee this Thanksgiving, make sure to skip non-dairy creamer.
Non-dairy creamer packets tend to clump and are also prone to spoilage because they’re unrefrigerated.