Heart Healthy Cookware
As heart disease continues to be the leading cause of human death, more and more people are in desperate search to prevent this tragedy from happening to themselves and the people they love. There are many components that affect heart health and it’s my purpose and passion to bring awareness to as many people as possible by providing reliable information and products that can help achieve this goal.
Our cookware is just as important as the foods we cook.
Non-stick cookware is a popular item among many households. Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is the non-stick coating that many consumers purchase as their cookware. PTFE was discovered in 1938 and patented in 1941. It was bonded to aluminum in 1956 and became the cookware that allowed food items to easily slide of pans and prevented foods from sticking to the cooking surfaces. It quickly became a household favorite kitchen item because of perceived easier clean-up. In addition to PTFE, other chemicals can be found in non-stick cookware such as Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, aka C8), and Perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS). These chemicals are highly toxic to human health as well as the environment.
According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, the data gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey demonstrated that PFOA levels were associated with 78% increase for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries serving the stomach, arms, and head but most commonly affects arteries in the legs. PAD increases your chances of having heart failure.
Safe alternatives to toxic non-stick cookware include:
- Cast Iron
- Nickle-free Stainless steel (grade 18/0)
- Earthenware & Stoneware (lead free)
- Pyrex glass & Corning ware
Cast iron is my personal favorite for Heart Health. It is relatively inexpensive and very durable. These products can literally be passed down from generation to generation. Your money goes a long way here. Cast iron evenly cooks food and fortifies your meal with iron which is essential for the production of red blood cells. A healthy abundance of new red blood cells is a great thing when you are aiming for optimal Heart Health!
Recommended Heart Healthy Cookware:
Cast Iron Set
Cast Iron Griddle Pan
Nickle-free stainless steel
Pyrex Bakeware
Stoneware
Reference:
http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/about-peripheral-artery-disease-pad
https://www.heartfailure.theclinics.com/article/S1551-7136(13)00128-1/abstract
https://www.ewg.org/research/teflon-chemical-harmful-at-smallest-doses#.W7aHq_ZRdEY