Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8, is a man-made chemical that is used in the process of making Teflon, DuPont non-stick cookware and lots of other commercial applications for its chemical properties of being highly stable and having low surface tension. PFOA persists indefinitely in the environment. It has been detected in the blood of more than 98% of the general US population; however it’s not completely clear how people are exposed to PFOA. PFOA is a carcinogen: numerous studies show that exposure to PFOA significantly increases the risk of kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas and testicular cancers. And not only that. PFOA is a toxicant for liver and immune system, and it also exerts hormonal effects including alteration of thyroid hormone levels.

You might say, okay, but how it is linked to popcorn? As a matter of fact, those convenient microwave popcorn bags are lined with PFOA. We bet, you wouldn’t think for a moment that they could be dangerous to your health while making your beloved popcorn in a microwave, but they are.

But PFOA is only one side of the problem. There is another one. Let’s take a look at popcorn itself. Today, over 90% of corn in the world is GMO. Although different brands have slightly different ingredients, most of manufacturers use soybean oil, which is also a GMO product. (To be honest, no one scientific study found a link between GMO and cancer. But better safe than sorry, because GMOs have not passed the time test.)

Cancer Causing Microwaved Popcorn

Popcorn is also stuffed with various preservatives including propyl gallate. Since 1948, this antioxidant has been added to foods containing oils and fats to prevent oxidation. As a food additive, it is used under the E number E310. You may find propyl gallate in meat products, soup mixes, chewing gum, mayonnaise, and frozen meals. This artificial additive can cause stomach and skin irritability, allergic reactions that impact breathing, kidney and liver problems and even cancer.

You can read more about these substances in Wikipedia, www.cancer.org and many other reliable sources.

References

  • http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/04/28/dr-oz-reveals-hidden-dangers-microwave-popcorn
  • http://www.livestrong.com/article/424792-the-cancer-risk-of-microwave-popcorn/
  • http://naturalon.com/10-of-the-most-cancer-causing-foods/
  • http://www.toxicfoodcans.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BPA-BuyerBeware.pdf
  • http://www.cancer.ca
  • http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2815%2900444-1/abstract
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