Aluminum foil is a very common item because it can be used for wrapping leftovers as well as for cooking certain meals. However, recent studies have shown that it is extremely unhealthy and you should never use aluminum foil again.
Aluminum is a dangerous heavy metal which has been related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and may affect brain function. Most doctors agree that heavy aluminum exposure may result in mental decline, loss of focus, memory and balance. A recent study discovered that the foil may affect our bones as well, as the heavy metal accumulates in the bones and crowds out the calcium which is required for proper bone function. This can result in a host of bone-related diseases and injuries.
Cooking with aluminum foil has been related to pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory disorders due to the inhalation of aluminum particles, and grilling with the foil causes similar problems.
Although everyone knows about the dangers of aluminum cans, rarely anyone is familiarized with the harmful effects of aluminum foil. At high temperatures, the foil leaches harmful chemicals into our food, and this gets worse if spices or lemon juice are added.
According to Dr. EssamZubaidy, chemical engineering scientist at the American University of Sharjah, a meal cooked in aluminum foil may contain up to 400 mg. of aluminum.
“THE HIGHER THE TEMPERATURE, THE MORE THE LEACHING. FOIL IS NOT SUITABLE FOR COOKING AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR USING WITH VEGETABLES LIKE TOMATOES, CITRUS JUICE OR SPICES,” HE SAYS.
The World Health Organization says that the allowed limit of aluminum daily is 60 mg., although it’s clear that we’re getting much more than that. Knowing the deadly consequences, it’s best to avoid using aluminum foil.