Banning BPA: How to Avoid Toxic Plastics

Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a chemical found in many hard plastics. The MOUS premium fitness bottle is of course BPA-free, but a lot of other plastic bottles are not.

Here’s what you need to know about this common chemical.

The Health Effects of BPA

BPA is an endocrine disruptor. To put it in simpler everyday terms, this means it imitates natural hormones in your body, and can therefore affect how your body produces and absorbs its own hormones.

While the negative effects of BPA are most pronounced on babies and young children, everyone may experience BPA side effects, which include:

Reproductive problems: BPA exposure has been linked to problems with puberty, infertility, erectile dysfunction and low sex drive.
Heart disease: Exposure to BPA has been linked with heart attack, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular problems.
Disease: BPA may cause insulin resistance, thus raising your risks of type 2 diabetes. It's also been associated with a higher risk of asthma and various forms of cancer.

How to Avoid BPA

Besides ditching your existing water bottle or sports bottle for a MOUS bottle, how else can you limit your exposure to this chemical?

Go BPA-Free

Only use plastic packages and containers that say they’re free of BPA. Alternatively, switch to using containers made from glass.

Limit Processed Foods

Many processed foods, such as those packaged in metal cans (which may have plastic lining), plastic bags or plastic packaging may have had BPA leached into them from their packaging. Avoid processed foods for the BPA risks, but also the health risks associated with processed foods in general.

Never Microwave Plastic

If you DO use plastic packaging, never expose it to high heat. This includes microwaves and dishwashers. The heat may cause the plastic to release more BPAs.