We continue to buy and use products that were created to bring peace to our lives, and it would be hard to imagine that the harmless daily routines performed by millions could hide any potential danger. But the reality will surely surprise you.
We have made a list of the things you wear every day that really do more harm than good. Let’s see how many of them you use.
Fruit Juice And Dried Fruit
Fruit juice is an unhealthy drink due to the sugar it contains. But, along with nuts, it also contains sulfur dioxide, which is used as a preservative to extend its shelf life.
Those who have asthma or are sensitive to sulfite should avoid these products. They can cause serious health problems, from breathing difficulties to life-threatening allergies and even death.
Tip: To avoid sulfites, opt for organic brands that don’t use preservatives. Organically dried fruits don’t last long, but freezing can significantly extend their shelf life. Check with your doctor if you are sensitive to sulfur.
Fast Food Packaging
Most of our favorite fast foods are wrapped or packaged in containers that have a grease-resistant chemical coating. This can contain fluorinated compounds, which can affect a growing embryo or a young child.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists the following possible consequences: changes in growth, behavior, and learning, decreased fertility, interference with natural hormones, increased cholesterol, and risk of cancer.
The amount of fluorinated compounds that enter our body depends on the temperature of the food, the type of food and the time it remains in the packaging.
Tip: If you can’t resist fast food, try eating there. You can always find a place that serves your favorite fast food choice on a plate.
Microwave Popcorn
As devastating as it is, microwave popcorn bags contain a chemical coating that breaks down when heated in an acid called PFOA (perfluorooctanoic). This acid can potentially cause cancer.
Another chemical, diacetyl, is found in the aroma of butter and can cause respiratory illness if you are constantly exposed to it.
A respiratory illness called “popcorn worker lungs” is found primarily among employees of microwave popcorn factories due to prolonged inhalation of chemical fumes.
Tip: If you love popcorn, just make your own. You only need beans, a skillet, and a stove.
Sunscreen
There are 2 types of sunscreen: physical (zinc and titanium dioxide) and chemical. The first type actually blocks or scatters the sun’s rays. The second causes a chemical reaction to prevent damage from UVA and UVB rays.
Some toxicology experts believe that oxybenzone can cause hormonal disruptions and lead to cell damage, which in turn results in skin cancer. Others say it is safe to use.
Tip: The topic is widely debated. If you don’t want any potentially toxic chemicals on your skin, choose a physical sunscreen. Use lotions instead of sprays for evenly distributed protection.
Crossing Your Legs
This “harmless” sitting position can increase the blood pressure in the knee. Hypertension can increase the risk of heart attack or heart failure.
It also puts pressure on the hip joints and can lead to a pool of blood in the legs when the veins are compressed, which can form a blood clot. Doctors recommend not crossing your legs for more than 10-15 minutes.
Tip: get a chair that supports your back well. You can keep your feet on the ground or use a special stool to keep your legs bent at an angle slightly greater than 90 °.
If you keep crossing your legs, try getting up and walking about every hour. Just a small circle will make a difference.
Do you know more everyday things that people do that do more harm than good? Share with us in the comments.
