High consumption of processed and packaged foods results in increased levels of certain chemicals in the body known to trigger health complications, according to a recent study.
The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Environment International on Feb. 4, investigated how dietary habits influenced blood PFAS concentrations among young adults. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” have been linked to multiple adverse health issues including cancers and negative effects on immune function and reproduction.
They are used in furniture, fabric, and several other household items. Recent tests show that the chemicals are present in drinking water, food packaging, and livestock.
Researchers analyzed food consumption data from 727 young adults and determined that higher intake of items such as processed meats, tea, and food prepared outside the home was associated with increased PFAS levels in the body over time.
“We’re starting to see that even foods that are metabolically quite healthy can be contaminated with PFAS,” said Hailey Hampson, a doctoral student in the Keck School of Medicine’s Division of Environmental Health and the study’s lead author, in a news release. “These findings highlight the need to look at what constitutes ‘healthy’ food in a different way.”