Aluminum cookware associated poisoning

Read on to know how using aluminum cookware can poison us!

Aluminum-based cookware has been used in our kitchen since long as they are low in cost and a good conductor of heat. However, it has been quite some time that some studies have reported a rather high level of aluminum present in the brain of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. So, aluminum toxicity has become a matter of concern since the recent past.

Here are some ways in which our food can be contaminated by this mineral.

Sources of aluminum

It is naturally found in clay, rock, minerals, and soil. So, the food that we grow is quite likely to contain some amount of aluminum in it and there are also many processed foods to which aluminum is added. Apart from food ingredients, some medicines, such as antacid, aspirin, nasal spray, toothpaste, and certain cosmetics also contain aluminum.

Leaching

Aluminum cookware and utensils can leach this mineral into foods. And, acidic foods such as tomato-based food preparations results in increased leaching of this mineral from the aluminum-based cookware. Prolonged cooking or storage of food in aluminum utensils can also increase the leaching of this mineral into the food preparations.

Aluminum toxicity

There are no health benefits of consuming aluminum as it can damage our lungs if it is inhaled in a large amount and it also acts as a neurotoxin that can poison our nervous system and brain. However, our body poorly absorbs this mineral and people with impaired kidney function are at an increased risk of aluminum toxicity.

Alzheimer’s disease

As aluminum can impair our mental health, there are strong chances of people with high aluminum intake to be treated for Alzheimer’s disease in the later stage of their life.

Precaution

It is best to not store or cook acidic food in aluminum cookware. Anodized aluminum-based, glass, cast iron, stainless steel, and modern enamel cookware are a better option to prepare the meals.