If you’ve been shopping for portable blenders, you probably read “BPA-free blender bottle” on the packaging or product description. What does that mean, and is it a good feature?
In this guide, let’s understand what BPA is all about, particularly its effect on health. I’ll also cite a few medical articles and research that support why getting a BPA-free portable blender matters.
What is BPA?
BPA stands for Bisphenol-A. It is an industrial chemical compound used to make light, high-performance plastic. Manufacturers also use it for making epoxy resin.
How do you know if a product contains BPA?
BPA is present in several items, including plastic containers, canned foods, toiletries and menstrual products, home electronics, sports goods, and eyeglass lenses.
Plastics or paper products with recycling code numbers 3 or 7 may also contain BPA.
Potential Medical Effects Related to BPA
Considering the types of products that typically contain BPA, it is clear that this chemical is widely available and very present in many household items.
The problem, however, is that researchers linked BPA to several health issues. Specifically, plastic containers with BPA can leach the chemical into food and liquids, especially when scratched or placed in extreme heat.
Studies on this matter are still ongoing and are limited to animal research, but here’s what researchers have noted so far:
- BPA may cause infertility. In various studies with mice, researchers detected decreased sperm quality (Liu et al., 2020) and impaired ovarian development (Pivonello et al., 2020) after BPA exposure.
- BPA may cause body weight issues. Researchers noted the endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA that lead to various problems like fat accumulation, unwanted weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease (Basak et al., 2020; Cimmino et al., 2020).
- BPA may cause cancer and disrupt treatment. A review of various studies suggests that BPA can react with different body cell types, including the growth and survival of cancer cells. Also, the chemical appears to facilitate resistance to various anti-cancer or chemotherapy drugs (Hafezi and Abdel-Rahman, 2019; Khan et al., 2021).
What is a BPA-Free Blender Bottle?
BPA-free in blenders and similar appliances means the jug or bottle has no traces of Bisphenol-A.
It’s a significant feature given that blending can easily scratch the plastic surface. Also, when processing hard ingredients, the temperature inside the bottle can rise and generate heat.
Both instances may cause BPA to leach into healthy smoothies and protein drinks.
Since the increased interest and research on BPA, blender manufacturers have been committed to producing BPA-free jugs. So, no need to worry about it when buying your portable blender.
However, I still suggest reading the packaging and product description of the plastic items you buy, especially those that will come in contact with your food or beverage.
Some cheaper plastics may be BPA-free but still contain other Bisphenols, like BPS and BPF, that pose the same human health risks.
Other Ways to Limit BPA Exposure
Processing your food in a BPA-free blender bottle is one way to avoid exposure to this dangerous plastic chemical. However, there are other means to do it. Here are some suggestions:
- Limit food or drink packed in cans or plastic containers. Increase your whole and fresh food intake instead. Also, buy more items packed in glass, cardboard, or biodegradable materials.
- Do not use plastic when reheating your food in the microwave. Use other alternatives like glass, porcelain, or ceramic containers for this.
- Choose glass or stainless-steel containers when possible. Some portable blenders have glass jugs or bottles rather than plastic. These are usually more expensive and require extra handling care. However, they are safer, easier to clean, and stain-resistant. The same applies to other glass food containers, jars, and bottles in the market.
Final Thoughts
It’s difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate BPA from our lives. Going plastic-free is also challenging and stressful. So, the best solution is to replace a few BPA-containing consumer goods you use at home.
Choose glass and zero-BPA containers for processing, cooking, or storing your food and drinks.
Also, switch to a BPA-free blender bottle if you love healthy smoothies and drinks to reduce exposure.
You can check out my best portable blender reviews to pick a unit with a glass or BPA-free bottle.
