Plasticizers and Obesity

All plastics contain plasticizers such as phthalates. There is no way around that fact. There is also no doubt that plasticizers leach into food. The literature contains numerous studies showing the effects of phthalates on human and animal health. Many of the effects are due to their hormone disrupting effects, such as insulin response, thyroid, and even sex hormones. A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that the phthalate DEHP given to mice in their drinking water caused a significant weight gain, more so in female mice than male mice. Now these are mice--not humans. However, this is not the first study showing plasticizers to have ill effects on humans. The take home message to to not wrap your food in plastic, not  microwave your food in plastic, and don't drink out of plastic cups or water bottles, regardless of whether or not is is BP-free or not.