Studies demonstrating the harmful effects of endocrine disruptors on health are increasing and the French are increasingly wary of them*: 53% perceived them as a “high risk” in 2022 compared to 33% in 2014. The National Health Agency health safety (ANSES) has listed 906 potentially endocrine disrupting substances. It is impossible to completely avoid them because they are present absolutely everywhere in our environment (furniture, cosmetics, textiles, toys, etc.), but as food remains our main source of exposure, you might as well start by reviewing your shopping list and your way of cook.
* IRSN barometer
Limit non-stick coatings on utensils
If PFOA has been banned in Europe since 2020, other perfluorinated compounds, still poorly known and which could prove to be just as harmful, are used to produce non-stick pans and saucepans. Perfluorinated compounds are also found in the coatings of fast-food boxes to prevent fat from impregnating the cardboard.
In practice : If you have non-stick pans at home, you must be careful not to do not heat them too strongly, do not scratch them and stop using them at the slightest sign of wear, because once they are scratched, harmful compounds can migrate into food. Ideally, you should favor stainless steel or cast iron panswhich are safe and robust materials.
Stop heating plastic containers
Plastics contain various endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols and phthalates. Bisphenol A has been banned in France in food containers since 2015, but the other bisphenols (F, S) used instead have similar structures and would be just as harmful. However, heat and fat promote the migration of plastic compounds into food.
In practice : we start by favoring glass bottles of oil. You can use a plastic box to store cold food in the refrigerator, but if the food is hot or you want to reheat it, it is better to put it in a glass container. Likewise, we avoid that the plastic film or in contact with hot food, and we prefer stainless steel kettles and steamers.
Favor untreated fruits and vegetables
According to data from the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), half of fruits and vegetables are contaminated by pesticide residues. However, the majority of pesticides contain endocrine disruptors which can be harmful, even at very low doses. Cereals are also affectedas shown by a survey by the Foodwatch association published last October: 37% of conventional cereal products (bread, flour, pasta, etc.) contain pesticide residues.
In practice : we must favor organic fruits and vegetables or “without pesticide residues” (even if this mention does not prohibit their use). And in particular those from which the skin or husk cannot be removed, such as strawberries, salads or whole grains. Buy locally and seasonally allows you to buy organic products at a more affordable cost.
Reduce fatty fish
We value them because they contain precious omega 3, these essential and rare fatty acids in our diet, but health authorities recommend consuming only one fatty fish per week. Indeed, pollutants present in the seas (mercury, PCB) tend to be stored in their fat.
In practice : we favor small fatty fish (sardines, herring, mackerel, anchovies, etc.) because they are located at the start of the food chain, and are therefore less polluted than large carnivorous fish such as salmon and tuna.
Avoid ultra-processed foods
They may contain food additives, some of which are suspected of disrupting the hormonal system, such as the preservative E218 from the paraben family present in certain sweets and sausages, or the antioxidant E321 found in chewing gum and soups. dehydrated. Moreover, ultra-processed foods often come into contact with plastic (trays, coating of storage boxes, etc.) which may contain endocrine disruptors.
In practice : we avoid foods with a long list of additives. We favor raw foods sold in bulk which are stored in glass jars. We also prefer canned goods in glass jars. The idea is not to eliminate all industrial foods which remain practical from time to time, but gradually adopt healthier habits for the planet and for our health.
Choose your cleaning products wisely
Household products are the second largest source of toxic substances in the home, after tobacco. Certain products that we use to wash our kitchen or our dishes contain endocrine disruptors such as nonylphenols (detergents) and phthalates (fragrances).
In practice : To clean your kitchen, you can count on the natural trio without endocrine disruptors formed by vinegar, black soap and baking soda. Otherwise, we favor household products bearing an eco-label (Ecocert, European Ecolabel, NF Environnement, etc.). You should also remember to ventilate your kitchen after cleaning and for at least 10 minutes every day.
Endocrine disruptors have multiple effects on health
“By interfering with the functioning of our hormones, endocrine disruptors can promote hormone-dependent cancers (breast, prostate, etc.), thyroid dysfunctions, metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes), neurocognitive disorders (attention deficit), early pubertyinfertility… Today, nearly one in five couples consult for fertility problems. In particular, we observe a drop in the quantity and quality of sperm and an increase in hormonal diseases (endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome…). The problem is that endocrine disruptors can act at very low doses. The time of exposure also plays a role: the first 1,000 days (in-utero life and first 2 years) are the period most at risk because it is at this time that the organs are formed.“.
Thanks to Dr Emmanuelle Lecornet-Sokol, endocrinologist in Paris and author of “What if it was hormonal?” published by Hachette.