BPA Plastic and Male Sexual Dysfunction

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM · October 25, 2012 · Volume 11

4.6/5 - (29 votes)

Canned foods and sliced turkey were found to be contaminated with the plastics chemical BPA, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.

Discuss

Transcript

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

What about food sources of BPA—a plastics chemical “used for lining metal cans and in polycarbonate,” as opposed to PVC plastics. “In humans, BPA is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and male sexual dysfunction in exposed workers.” “Food is a major exposure source.” But, there weren’t any studies reporting BPA in U.S. fresh, canned, and packaged foods in the scientific literature—until now.

Before we get to what they found, what do they mean by male sexual dysfunction? “The Relationship between [urine BPA] Level and Declining Male Sexual Function.” “Increasing urine BPA level was associated with decreased sexual desire…, more difficulty having an erection…, lower ejaculation strength…, and lower level of overall satisfaction with sex life…” “This finding…may have important public health implications given the widespread human exposure to BPA.”

But, from where in our diet, in particular? They measured BPA levels in over a hundred fresh and canned foods; foods sold in plastic packaging; and in cat and dog foods in both cans and plastic packaging. Nearly all the canned foods were contaminated—from green beans to sardines, tuna, and V8®, to Chef Boyardee. There was only one fresh, non-canned food that had detectable levels.

So, if you don’t buy canned foods, or stick to BPA-free canned foods, the only food left to worry about appears to be sliced turkey.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Sources

Acknowledgements

Images thanks to Edgar181 via Wikimedia; and soopahgrover and David Reverchon via flickr

Topics

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

What about food sources of BPA—a plastics chemical “used for lining metal cans and in polycarbonate,” as opposed to PVC plastics. “In humans, BPA is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and male sexual dysfunction in exposed workers.” “Food is a major exposure source.” But, there weren’t any studies reporting BPA in U.S. fresh, canned, and packaged foods in the scientific literature—until now.

Before we get to what they found, what do they mean by male sexual dysfunction? “The Relationship between [urine BPA] Level and Declining Male Sexual Function.” “Increasing urine BPA level was associated with decreased sexual desire…, more difficulty having an erection…, lower ejaculation strength…, and lower level of overall satisfaction with sex life…” “This finding…may have important public health implications given the widespread human exposure to BPA.”

But, from where in our diet, in particular? They measured BPA levels in over a hundred fresh and canned foods; foods sold in plastic packaging; and in cat and dog foods in both cans and plastic packaging. Nearly all the canned foods were contaminated—from green beans to sardines, tuna, and V8®, to Chef Boyardee. There was only one fresh, non-canned food that had detectable levels.

So, if you don’t buy canned foods, or stick to BPA-free canned foods, the only food left to worry about appears to be sliced turkey.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Images thanks to Edgar181 via Wikimedia; and soopahgrover and David Reverchon via flickr

Doctor's Note

I’ve previously covered BPA in Which Plastics are Harmful? There, I go through which “numbers” of plastic are probably safest. My other video on plastics chemicals (Chicken Consumption and the Feminization of Male Genitalia) similarly found particularly high levels in poultry. Eden Foods is one of the few manufacturers that doesn’t use BPA. See my blog about their canned beans: Do Eden Beans Have Too Much Iodine? For more on male sexual health, see Xenoestrogens & Sperm Counts; Watermelon as Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction; and, on prostate enlargement, Prostate vs. Plants, and Prostate vs. a Plant-Based Diet. I also have dozens of other videos on men’s health.

For further context, check out my associated blog post: Pollutants in Californian Breast Tissue.

If you haven't yet, you can subscribe to our free newsletter. With your subscription, you'll also get notifications for just-released blogs and videos. Check out our information page about our translated resources.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This