​Chemicals in Plastic wrappings may contribute to fat cell development

 

Chemicals from one third of the plastic products found to contribute to fat cell development. A research group looked at 34 different plastic products in the laboratory and analysed the chemicals they contained. The products studied were many of the everyday products that many people use, like yoghurt containers, drink bottles and kitchen sponges. The researchers found over 55000 different chemical components in these products and identified 629 of the substances. Eleven of these substances were known to interfere with our metabolism. Instead of most plastic chemicals staying in the material the University team from Goethe University showed that many of these plastic products leach out a large number of chemicals which allows them to enter the body. These plastics have been shown to contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may affect our development and fertility. Now it appears that these chemicals may contribute to weight gain as well. The substances in these products reprogramed cells to become fat cells in the body, which can allow more fat to be stored. Obesity is a major problem in much of the world and it seems that chemicals in plastic packaging is not helping.



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