Why Pregnant Women Must Avoid Canned Foods And Eating In Plastic

It is a well-known fact now that heating food in plastic or drinking water in a plastic bottle can cause cancer, as the chemicals present in plastic bottles can leach out into the food, which then enters the body through the food.

This is the reason it is advisable to avoid heating food in a plastic bag/container in a microwave oven. Heating results in the release of cancer-causing chemicals from the plastic container into the food.

Now, coming to the consumption of foods in plastic containers and canned food by the pregnant women.

All pregnant women must avoid eating canned foods, as the food that comes packaged in cans contain harmful chemicals and also the foods that are warmed in plastic bags are also contaminated with chemicals.

Plastic containers and canned foods do not only contain harmful chemicals but also BPA or bisphenol A, which has been found to cause problems in mental and physical development of the baby in the womb.

So, read on the article to know the harmful effects of plastic containers and canned foods in pregnant women.

Disturbs Hormones
If a pregnant woman eats food warmed in a plastic container, drinks water in plastic bottle or eats canned food, then it may be dangerous for her baby. It causes mental and behavioural issues in the baby, including some neurological disorders. The chemicals including bisphenol A (BPA) from these containers cause hormonal imbalance in the pregnant women. There will be an increased activity of the oestrogen hormone due to this chemical bisphenol A.

Poor Mental And Physical Development In The Baby
Since this chemical is found in plastic containers, it increases the oestrogen activity in the mother. This affects the development of the baby and also causes reproductive problems in women (men also) such as infertility. So, it is advisable for all pregnant women to avoid the use of plastic containers for eating, warming food and drinking purposes and to avoid all canned and processed foods as well.

Bisphenol A (BPA) Is Banned In Many Countries
Few countries like China, France and Canada have banned the products that contain this harmful chemical. If any product is found containing BPA, it can be immediately banned from further production. Hence, nowadays, we see many plastic containers with the label "bisphenol A (BPA) free".