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Switching to glass in the kitchen can build better health and immunity for your family
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Monday, 31 May, 2021, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Priyanka Kheruka
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During the ongoing pandemic and with the country going under lockdown in several states, the need to stay safe and healthy cannot be emphasised enough.
A key factor in building good health, one we often ignore, is still prioritising replacing plastic with glass, particularly in the kitchen. The kitchen is the backbone of every household’s health and keeping it hygienic and toxin free is essential.
As we ensure that we are eating healthy and boosting our natural immunity, what you eat and store food in also matters as much.
We use plastic in all aspects of our life but the one place it takes dominance is in our kitchens: from bottles to storage utensils, to microwaving food in plastic containers, plastic cups, plates. These utensils and devices carry hidden toxins which specially tend to activate when in contact with heat and food. Plastic bottles, tiffins and containers that we use daily are made using polycarbonate plastics, some of which have bioactive chemicals, like Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates. BPA is an industrial chemical, which hardens plastic and Phthalates make plastic soft and malleable.
When plastic is exposed to heat, it leaches these very chemicals which can have severe detrimental effects, especially for microwave heating of food items. Fatty foods like meats and cheese are more prone to leaching and when these are microwaved in a plastic container, the phthalates released can directly affect your lungs, kidneys and liver. BPA on the other hand is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. BPA, when ingested through heating food in plastic, directly enters our bloodstream and can lead to infertility, impact metabolism, our endocrine system, the brain and even lead to many kinds of cancer. BPA also upsets the estrogen and testosterone levels in humans.
A switch to glass and steel is a safe and healthy option given these elements are naturally non-toxic and don’t leach chemicals. They are easy to clean and sterilise as well.
Just like haldi which is found in every Indian kitchen and which helps in boosting immunity, glass too functions in a natural way to protect our health. Glass is one of the oldest, safest and most viable options available for food and liquid heating, storage and consumption.
One can opt for jars, containers, utensils, crockery and bottles which are made of 100% borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is a special glass which is used in laboratories because it is completely inert (i.e. it won’t react with any chemicals or materials), extreme temperature resistant (you can put heat and cool it to extreme temperatures and in some cases, even heat it on the flame), scratch resistant, and is clearer and stronger than regular glass. It is 100% microwave safe as well.
Moreover, glass containers will retain the taste, freshness and flavour of the food without leaving any stains on the crockery. Beware of cheaper alternatives like lime soda glass and make sure you choose a brand and products that you trust. Borosilicate glass is also being widely used as cookware, making it convenient to cook, heat, consume and store food from the same vessels. Given the current strain on households as well, one needs to be safe and also simplify and declutter the kitchen.
(The author is brand head at Borosil Ltd)
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