Aluminium foil, It is a common household product often used for cooking and storing food and is the biggest helper of women in the kitchen. It prevents food from getting stale and keeps it fresh.
It is said that some chemicals in the foil leak into the food during cooking and this endangers our health. But there are also those who say it is completely safe.
In the article "What are the properties of aluminum foil", "What is aluminum foil made of", "Is cooking in aluminum foil harmful" We will discuss the answers to your questions.
What is Aluminum Foil?
Aluminium foilis a thin paper, shiny aluminum metal sheet. It is made by rolling large alloy floor slabs that are thicker than 0,2mm.
It is used industrially for various purposes such as packaging, insulation and transportation. Those sold in markets are suitable for home use.
For covering food cooked at home, especially on baking trays, and for wrapping foods that need to be stored such as meats Aluminium foil It is used thus preventing moisture loss while cooking.
Also for wrapping and preserving delicate foods such as vegetables on the grill Aluminium foil available.
Food contains small amounts of aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals in the world. In its natural state, it is bound to other elements such as phosphate and sulphate in soil, rock and clay.
However, it is also found in small amounts in air, water, and food. In fact, it occurs naturally in most foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, grains, and dairy products.
Some foods, such as tea leaves, mushrooms, spinach, and radishes, are more likely to absorb more aluminum than other foods and accumulate in those foods.
Additionally, some of the aluminum we eat is derived from processed food additives such as preservatives, colorants, thickening deodorizers and thickeners.
It's also worth noting that foods containing commercially produced food additives contain more aluminum than home-cooked foods.
The actual amount of aluminum present in the food we eat depends largely on the following factors:
Easy absorption and retention of aluminum in a food
Soil
Aluminum content of the soil in which the food is grown
Package
Packaging and storage of food in aluminum packaging
Additives
Whether there are some additives added during food, processing
Aluminum is also ingested with drugs with a high aluminum content, such as antacids. Regardless, the aluminum content of food and medicine is not a problem because only a small amount of the aluminum we take is absorbed.
The remainder is excreted through feces. In addition, aluminum absorbed in healthy people is then excreted in the urine. Generally, the small amount of aluminum we eat daily is considered safe.
Baking with aluminum foil increases the aluminum content of foods
Most of the aluminum intake comes from food. However, studies show that using aluminum in containers leaches aluminum into foods. So Aluminium foil Cooking with can increase the aluminum content in the diet.
Aluminium foil The amount of aluminum that passes into your food while cooking with is affected by some factors:
Temperature: Cooking at higher temperatures.
Foods: Cooking with acidic foods such as tomatoes and cabbage.
Some components: Using salt and spices in cooking.
However, the amount that penetrates the food while cooking may also vary. For example, a study found that red meat Aluminium foil He found that cooking it in it could increase the aluminum content by 89% to 378%.
This type of work Aluminium foilIt caused concern that it could be harmful to health with its regular use.
However, many researchers, Aluminium foilconcluded that the minimum additives of aluminum are safe.
Health hazards of using excess aluminum foil
Daily exposure to aluminum through food is considered safe. This is because, in healthy people, small amounts of aluminum absorbed by the body can be efficiently excreted.
However, it has been suggested that dietary aluminum is a potential factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease It is a neurological condition that occurs due to the loss of brain cells. Those with this condition suffer from memory loss and decreased brain function.
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, but it is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors that can damage the brain over time.
High levels of aluminum have been found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. However, it is unclear whether dietary aluminum is indeed a cause of the disease, as there is no link between drugs such as antacids and those who consume high amounts of aluminum due to drugs such as Alzheimer's.
Exposure to very high levels of dietary aluminum is likely to contribute to the development of brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.
However, the role of aluminum in the development and progression of Alzheimer's has not yet been determined, if any.
In addition to its potential role in brain disease, several studies suggest that dietary aluminum may be an environmental risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Despite some research pointing to a correlation with some test tubes and animal studies, no studies have found a definitive link between aluminum intake and IBD.
The aluminum accumulated in the body may damage its cells, affect the liver, endanger bone health by infiltrating the bones, and cause anxiety and stress as a result of its direct effect on the nervous system, stomach pain It is also stated that it can cause indigestion symptoms.
Benefits of Using Aluminum Foil as Packaging
Food Aluminium foil wrapping it with food prevents home cooked food from coming into contact with bacteria. Although there are some negative aspects of using foil compared to other packaging products, some advantages come to the fore.
- To pack food using aluminum foilhelps prevent odor without putting food in the fridge. Squeeze the foil tightly around the sides of the container so that air cannot enter or exit.
- Wrapping food in foil is ideal for anyone who wants to store food that will be reheated in the near future. Aluminium foil can withstand high temperatures.
- Aluminium foil It is resistant to moisture, light, bacteria and all gases. It helps food last longer than wrapped in plastic, especially due to its ability to block bacteria and moisture.
- Their food Aluminium foil The ease of packaging provides practicality in the kitchen. The packaging process can be done easily in a few seconds.
- Their food Aluminium foil packing with it will help prevent food from coming into contact with germs as it is highly resistant to all bacteria. Aluminium foil Add an extra layer to your packaging to ensure that nothing comes into contact with the food, as it tears easily.
To minimize exposure to aluminum during cooking
It is impossible to completely remove aluminum from your diet, but you can scramble to minimize it.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have agreed that levels below 1 mg per 2 kg of body weight per week are unlikely to cause health problems.
The European Food Safety Authority uses a more conservative estimate of 1 mg per kg of body weight per week. However, it has been assumed that most people consume much less than that.
Here are some important things you can take into account to minimize unnecessary exposure to aluminum while cooking:
Avoid cooking with high heat
If possible, cook your food at lower temperatures.
Use less aluminum foil
For cooking, especially if you cook with acidic foods such as tomatoes or lemons Aluminium foil Reduce usage.
Use non-aluminum items
Use non-aluminum items to cook your food, such as glass or porcelain dishes and utensils.
In addition, commercially processed foods can be packaged with aluminum or contain food additives containing it, they may have higher aluminum levels than their homemade counterparts.
Therefore, eating mostly home-cooked foods and reducing intake of commercially processed foods can help reduce aluminum intake.
Should You Use Aluminum Foil?
Aluminium foil it is not considered dangerous but can slightly increase the aluminum content in our diets.
If you are concerned about the amount of aluminum in your diet, Aluminium foil You can stop cooking with.
However, the amount of aluminum foil contributes to your diet is likely negligible.
As you will probably be far below the amount of aluminum considered safe, Aluminium foilYou will not need to avoid using yu while cooking.
