6 ‘Toxins’ in Food That Are Actually Concerning

1. Bisphenol A and similar compounds

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that used to be found in the plastic containers of many common foods and beverages and in the lining inside metal cans (for instance, those used for canned tomatoes).

However, studies have shown that BPA can leach out of these containers and into the food or beverage inside (1).

BPA is believed to mimic estrogen by binding to the receptor sites meant for the hormone. This can disrupt typical hormone function (1).

What’s more, studies in pregnant animals have shown that BPA exposure leads to problems with reproduction and increases the future breast and prostate cancer risk of a developing fetus (2, 3).

Some observational studies have also found that high BPA levels are associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (4, 5).

However, while animal studies have found an association between BPA and weight gain and insulin resistance, few human studies have studied the association between markers of BPA exposure and diabetes (4, 5).

Fortunately, most plastics and cans are now BPA-free. However, BPA has been replaced in many products with very similar compounds such as bisphenol S, which may have similar effects (6).

In fact, one review notes that BPS may be more toxic to the reproductive system than BPA (6).

To reduce your exposure to these potentially harmful compounds, avoid plastic dishware as much as possible — including bottled water. Use glass and stainless steel drinkware instead of plastic, and look for foods that are packaged in glass rather than aluminum cans.

Summary

BPA was once commonly found in plastic and the lining of aluminum cans, but it has since been mostly phased out because of links to negative health effects. However, replacements such as BPS may have similar drawbacks.

2. Artificial trans fats

Artificial trans fats are made by pumping hydrogen into unsaturated oils such as soybean and corn oils to turn them into solid fats. They used to be in many processed foods, such as margarine, snack foods, and packaged baked goods.

However, animal and observational studies have repeatedly shown that trans fat consumption causes inflammation and has negative effects on heart health (7, 8, 9).

For this reason, the use of artificial trans fats has been fully banned in the United States since January 2020 (10).

Some animal-based foods may contain some naturally occurring trans fats, but these don’t have the same negative health effects as industrial trans fats (9).

Summary

Artificial trans fats are highly inflammatory and may contribute to heart disease. They are now banned from being used in food in the United States, but if a serving of food contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat, it can be labeled 0 grams.

3. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered environmental pollutants. They arise from burning organic material, but they’re also found in foods (11).

When meat is grilled or smoked at high temperatures, fat drips onto hot cooking surfaces, producing volatile PAHs that can seep into the meat.

Although red meat was once thought to be the main culprit, samples of grilled chicken and fish have been found to contain similar levels of PAHs (12, 13).

In fact, smoked and grilled meats are one of the primary sources of PAHs in food. But PAHs are also found in many types of processed foods (14, 15).

Unfortunately, researchers have found that PAHs are toxic and linked to an increased risk of breast, kidney, colon, and prostate cancer (16, 17, 18, 19).

Although it’s best to use other methods of cooking, such as braising or slow cooking, you can reduce PAHs by as much as 89% when grilling by minimizing smoke and quickly removing drippings (20).

Summary

Grilled and smoked meats are high in PAHs, which can increase the risk of cancer. Cooking methods such as braising and slow cooking can reduce the PAHs in meats.

4. Coumarin in cinnamon

Coumarin is a toxic compound found in C. cassia, C. loureiroi, and C. burmannii cinnamon. These types of cinnamon are commonly found in grocery stores (21).

At high doses, coumarin has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and liver damage. However, it’s impossible to know how much coumarin your cinnamon contains unless you have it tested (21).

One study found that children who regularly sprinkled cinnamon on their oatmeal could have unsafe levels of coumarin intake, so it’s something to be aware of if you consume cinnamon regularly (22).

If you want to avoid coumarin, look for a different type of cinnamon, called Ceylon cinnamon or “true cinnamon,” from the Cinnamomum verum plant. It’s harder to find in stores (you may have to order it online) and more expensive, but it contains much lower levels of coumarin (21).

Summary

Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which may increase your risk of liver damage or cancer if consumed in excess. Ceylon cinnamon is harder to find but contains much lower levels of coumarin.

5. Added sugars

Added sugars are often referred to as “empty calories.” However, the harmful effects of sugar go way beyond that.

Sugar that is high in fructose, such as high-fructose corn syrup, in excess, has been linked to many serious conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, and cancer (23, 24, 25).

Foods high in added sugars are also highly processed and may have addictive properties that make it hard for some people to regulate their intake of these foods (26).

Based on animal studies, some researchers have attributed this to sugar’s ability to cause the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that stimulates reward pathways (26, 27).

To lower your added sugar intake, limit sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and fruit juices and eat processed snack foods and desserts only occasionally.

Summary

Added sugars, which are found in many foods, can contribute to unwanted weight gain and the development of type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and a number of other chronic conditions.

6. Mercury in fish

Fish is an extremely healthy animal protein, but certain varieties of deep sea fish can contain high levels of mercury, a known toxin. This is a result of the pollutant working its way up the food chain in the sea (28).

Plants that grow in mercury-contaminated waters are consumed by small fish, which are then consumed by larger fish. Over time, mercury accumulates in the bodies of those larger fish, which are eventually eaten by humans.

Mercury is a neurotoxin, meaning it can damage the brain and nerves. Research suggests that young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women are at particularly high risk, since mercury can affect fetal and infant brain and nervous system development (29).

A 2014 analysis found that in several countries, mercury levels in the hair and blood of women and children were significantly higher than the World Health Organization recommends, particularly in coastal communities and near mines (30).

Some fish, such as king mackerel and swordfish, are extremely high in mercury and should be avoided. However, eating other types of fish is still advised because they have many health benefits (31).

To limit your mercury exposure, choose low mercury fish such as salmon, pollock, herring, and catfish (32).

Summary

Certain deep sea fish, like king mackerel and swordfish, contain high amounts of toxic mercury. However, other types of fish, such as salmon and herring, are safer to consume.

The bottom line

Many claims about harmful effects of food toxins aren’t supported by science, but some foods and food compounds do warrant concern.

To minimize your risk of harm, limit your consumption of processed foods, seed oils, processed meats, and added sugars as much as possible.

However, it’s also important to remember that many of these foods are harmful only with consistent regular or high intake, so you don’t have to give them up entirely — just limit them to occasional treats.