Sometimes it is not what you add to your life that brings health benefits. Occasionally, it comes down to what you toss. At the start of the New Year, if you are thinking of ways to improve the health of your family, consider doing away with the following…
- Baby powder.
You use it to get rid of bad smells. Or for that fresh and clean feel we have come to associate with baby skin. Any sign of heat rash? Splash on the talcum powder! But you may want to hold that thought. Lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson have shown an alarming connection between talcum powder and cancer.In October 2016, a jury in St. Louis awarded $70 million in a case regarding talcum powder causing ovarian cancer in the plaintiff. And there are some2,500 similar claims made against talcum powder use. Our take? Better to be safe than sorry. Buy an alternative, such as cornstarch or some other non-talc baby powder.
- Ancient plastic containers.
Most plastic containers today do not contain bisphenol-A (BPA). But if you have ancient plastic containers bought years ago that you have been hanging on to, now is the time to let it go. BPA has been shown to leak from plastic containers and into food products. This chemical can disrupt your endocrine system and cause hypertension. It can also cause hyperactivity in children. And heighten the risk of various cancers. While BPA-free plastics are best, the safest option is to skip plastic Tupperware entirely and go with glassware.
- Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.
They seem enticing: artificial sweeteners that claim to have zero calories. But such sweeteners, namely sucralose and aspartame, do other harmful things. An article published on Harvard Health Publications says so. Artificial sweeteners cause one to shun healthy and highly nutritious foods. And promotes consuming more artificially flavored foods that have less nutritional value.Research suggests that artificial sweeteners may prevent us from connecting sweetness with caloric intake. This results in us craving more sweets, and then choosing sweet food over nutritious food, thus leading to a gain in weight.Not ready to cut out sugar entirely? Just don’t fool yourself into thinking that a zero-calorie sweetener is any better for you than a teaspoon of white sugar.
- Margarine.
Years ago, doctors made a big ado over animal fats, saying that it led to heart risk. Butter was looked down on and in its place arose margarine. Today, however, scientists state that it is margarine and not butter that one should be wary of. Here’s why. Some margarines contain cholesterol-raising trans fat.
Consumption of industrial trans fats is associated with a 28 percent increased risk of death from coronary heart disease. As well as a 21 percent increase in cardiovascular disease risk.Additionally, research covering 50 studies found there was no evidence that saturated fat found in butter was bad for health. This is not to say that you can overindulge in eating butter. Butter does have a high caloric content, so eating foods drenched in butter can lead to weight gain. But if it is a choice between which is healthier for you in a moderate amount, butter over margarine is the healthier choice.
- Soup in cans.
The allure of the fast meal is what gets many of us into buying canned soup. But we should be wary of over reliance on this crutch. A study done by Harvard and published in 2011 showed a link between canned soup and high levels of BPA in a consumer’s urine. BPA, as previously mentioned, has been linked to many afflictions, including obesity and diabetes.
By tossing the above you will not only be clearing out old and potentially harmful products in your house, but you will also be decluttering! Start 2017 with a clean home and confidence that you are making important health moves that will protect your family’s health down the line.
