Are BPA Laced Foods Now Connected to Hypertension Too?

By Heather Callaghan

New research reported in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension, points to cans and bottles lined with Bisphenol A (BPA) as a precursor to raised blood pressure – but the problem goes beyond that.

When the chemical used as an epoxy lining for cans and plastics entered the market it was deemed safe. Although there were claims that small amounts ingested from food and beverages wouldn’t be harmful – low levels are indeed harmful. In fact, research shows that BPA causes 100 times the amount of damage previously claimed.

So are you extra stressed? Fatigued? Under pressure and feeling dizzy? Is it a random blood pressure problem or is the BPA?

While BPA has been associated with blood pressure rate and heart rate changes before. Korean researchers decided to put mostly female subjects to the test…

Researchers conducted a randomized crossover trial recruiting 60 adults over the age of 60 from a Korean community center. Each trial member visited the study site three times and was randomly provided with soy milk in either glass bottles or cans. Soy milk was chosen because, according to them, there are no know components in it to raise blood pressure.

Later, urine was collected and tested for BPA concentration, blood pressure and heart rate variability two hours after consumption of each beverage. Urinary BPA concentration increased by up to 1,600 percent after consuming canned beverages compared to after consuming the glass-bottled beverages.

Study author Yun-Chul Hong, M.D., Ph.D said:

A 5 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure by drinking two canned beverages may cause clinically significant problems, particularly in patients with heart disease or hypertension. A 20 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Thanks to the crossover intervention trial design, we could control most of the potential confounders, such as population characteristics or past medical history. Time variables, such as daily temperatures, however, could still affect the results.

The researchers wish for decision-makers, doctors and the public to be aware of the heart risks associated with BPA exposure.

Hong adds:

I suggest consumers try to eat fresh foods or glass bottle-contained foods rather than canned foods and hopefully, manufacturers will develop and use healthy alternatives to BPA for the inner lining of can containers.

BPA is not considered an ingredient, even though it is certainly ingested because it’s well established that it leaches into food and drink – especially through toxic food packaging. Other sources are ATM-like receipt paper and resins used in dental procedures.

It has been linked to obesity, infertility and reproductive disorders in both genders, breast cancer, behavioral problems, low sperm counts and more. Last year, its damaging effects on neuro-development were scrutinized and it was shown to cause brain impairment. Two years ago, a Harvard study found a whopping 1200% spike in BPA levels in the urine of people who had recently eaten canned soup.

Heather Callaghan is a natural health blogger and food freedom activist. You can see her work at NaturalBlaze.com and ActivistPost.com. Like at Facebook.