Is ceramic cookware safe?
In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “Is ceramic cookware safe?”. We will also discuss the different reasons why ceramic cookwares are unsafe. Moreover, we will also describe whether Teflon cookwares are safe.
Is ceramic cookware safe?
No, ceramic cookware is not completely safe. Since all ceramic cookwares are built differently, some are safe while some can have toxic effects on your health. Ceramic cookware may seem safe at first, but the toxins come from within the ceramic coating used in ceramic cookware.
Ceramic cookware is generally classified into four types: pure ceramic cookware, ceramic coated, ceramic enameled cookware, and glazed ceramic cookware. You should be cautious of ceramic-coated cookware, ceramic enameled cookware, and glazed ceramic cookware as they can have toxic effects on your health.
Why are some ceramic cookwares unsafe?
Some ceramic cookware is unsafe mainly because of the nanoparticles used to create the ceramic coating, the materials used in the cookware underneath the ceramic coating, and the materials used to set the ceramic coating or glaze it. Let us discuss the negative effects of each of these below:
Nanoparticles used to create the ceramic coating
There are many toxic nanoparticles used in the ceramic coating. These nanoparticles can easily access different physiological tissues or organs due to their small size. And a few of them can cause a variety of health issues. A nanoparticle called asbestos is even said to cause cancer.
When it comes to ceramic cookware, many brands’ ceramic coatings or ceramic enamel have been shown to transfer titanium dioxide nanoparticles from the nonstick ceramic coating into your meals.
Although not enough studies have been done on humans, this can still be very alarming as nano titanium dioxide has been proven to cause a variety of health problems, including harming male fertility (including sperm damage), liver, testicles, heart, brain, and kidney injuries, and disruption of the gut microbiota in animals.
Other materials used underneath the ceramic coating
Not just the nanoparticles used in ceramic coating, but even the other materials used in ceramic cookware underneath the ceramic coating are said to be harmful to your health.
If you ever happen to scratch the outer ceramic coating, and if you continue to use this ceramic cookware, your foods can get combined with even more harmful materials like aluminum or other heavy metals.
Moreover, your ceramic coated cookware is likely to expose the layer underneath with each use as it gets older, so these cookwares are definitely not safe in a long run regardless of any external damage.
Glazed ceramic cookware
The coatings and glazes used to finish the ceramic cookware also bring some toxins with them. These glazes are usually used by some companies to seal or help solidify the ceramic coating.
Furthermore, these glazes may contain dangerous chemicals or materials, such as heavy metals, which can seep into food. There have been numerous reports of lead toxicity from glazed ceramic cookware. So, if you much use ceramic cookwares go for the pure ceramic cookwares without any coatings or glazes.
Are Teflon cookware safe?
No, Teflon cookware is not safe. Most people love using Teflon cookware as they are non-sticky. However, what most people are not aware of is that their nonstick characteristics come from a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coating. They are a kind of thermoplastic polymer that tends to leach toxins when they are exposed to temperatures above 572°F.
These hazardous vapors cause flu-like symptoms known as polymer fume fever, also popularly known as Teflon flu. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), another chemical molecule present in Teflon cookware, has been related to various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Not to confuse with PTFE that comes with its own toxic effects, but they do not have cancer-causing properties, unlike PFOA.
While most of the manufacturers claim that PFOA is only present in such small concentrations in Teflon products that they are negligible and cause no harm to people, their risks are too huge and life-threatening to ignore. That is why it is best to restrict your exposure to Teflon cookware.
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Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have answered the query, “Is ceramic cookware safe?”. We have also discussed the different reasons why ceramic cookwares are unsafe. Moreover, we have also described whether Teflon cookwares are safe.
Citations
https://www.pureandsimplenourishment.com/is-ceramic-cookware-safe/
