What Stops You from Losing Weight? You Won't Believe It, but It Has to Do with Your Cookware
A new study suggests that leaking coating from Teflon products into your food might be why you're not losing weight. What's the connection, and how can you prevent it?
(Photo illustration: shutterstock)We all want to lose weight at some point in our lives, but in reality, most diets don't last, and it's challenging to stick to the task. A groundbreaking clinical study found other factors affecting our weight: it might be that Teflon products are linked to our difficulty in shedding pounds.
Researchers claim that chemicals used for coating pots and pans may contribute to high levels of obesity by disrupting the body's ability to burn calories.
The researchers also examined the effects of perfluoroalkyl substances, which are used in Teflon coatings, and in the past have raised concerns among some health experts. Concerns arose after several animal experiments and observational studies linked the substance to high cholesterol, cancer, and immune system issues.
Prof. Qi Sun, a nutritionist specializing in risk factors for diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, documented 621 overweight and obese individuals who dieted for 6 months.
After completing six months of dieting, participants lost weight and then regained some of it. On average, participants lost 6.4 kilograms and regained about half within a year and a half. Here came the surprise - those who gained back the most weight after the diet were found to have the highest levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in their blood.
"These chemicals may lead to faster weight gain after dieting," explained Prof. Sun in a discussion with the British newspaper The Guardian. "It is very hard to avoid exposure to these chemicals, but we need to try."
Prof. Philippe Grandjean, a co-author of the study, added: "Usually, we think of PFASs in terms of rare health problems like cancer, but it seems they also play a role in obesity, a major health problem facing millions worldwide."
"Although the findings are intriguing, this study cannot determine whether there is a causal link between the substances and the weight gain observed in the study. As the researchers noted, there is potential that some of the findings result from correlation rather than causation. Nonetheless, the findings are important and can serve as a solid basis for more focused studies examining the nature of the relationship between PFAS exposure and obesity," explained Dr. Hagit Olnovsky, a consultant in health and environmental risk management and director of the Israel Forum for Sustainable Nutrition.
In the meantime, further studies are needed to establish a strong causal link to ensure whether these chemicals can significantly disrupt weight regulation and metabolism processes. The current study only found the first clinical link between baseline chemical levels in the blood and weight gain after dieting, as well as resting metabolic rate.
In conclusion, Dr. Olnovsky emphasizes: "There is no need to immediately get rid of all the Teflon pans we have at home if they are in good condition and free of scratches or significant defects. However, it is recommended to reduce exposure to the substance by strictly following the care, washing, and cleaning instructions for pans and pots, to ensure minimal leaching of PFAS from the Teflon into the food."
