You may be putting you and yours in harms way if you use aluminum foil in the kitchen, as aluminum has been scrutinized for years in the scientific community for its potential role as a neurotoxin.
Aluminum does not have a physiological role within the human body which gives it the potential to cause significant detrimental effects, especially if consumed. A 2014 study unequivocally proved this theory showing that a man who died with Alzheimer’s disease had significantly elevated levels of aluminum content in his brain following 8 years of occupational exposure. The respiratory system was noted to be exposed to aluminum dust, but aluminum is a known neurotoxin.
Aluminum foil is reactive and not fully inert, food cooked or prepared in aluminum foil has been shown to have higher levels of aluminum than if another medium was used. Long term oral aluminum intake could be argued would equate to using aluminum foil regularly for years; meaning using aluminum foil in the kitchen could contribute to associated effects and risks.
Aluminum from sources such as foil has been shown to increase risk for developing bone disease in a study examining the effects of hemodialysis which causes buildup of aluminum in the blood: 37% of the dialysis patients were found to have developed aluminum associated bone disease. Researchers concluded long term oral aluminum intake in hemodialysis patients results in high prevalence of aluminum associated bone disease; and theorized aluminum either directly or indirectly impacts osteoblast production which leads to bone wasting.
Use of it to prepare, cook, or store foods can increase risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis, which was shown in a study performing lung tissue analysis of workers exposed to aluminum oxide finding extremely high levels of aluminum in lung tissue; suggesting that exposure contributed to development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Aluminum foil may not contribute to lung disease as the same rate of breathing in aluminum oxides, but that does not change the fact it does still contain the very real risk of cooking with aluminum foil to possibly cause pulmonary fibrosis and other diseases of the lung.
Engineers from the University of Ain Shams examined the different ways in which aluminum foil and other cookwares interact with foods: Results showed leaching of harmful aluminum compounds was highest when acidic foods such as lemon juice or tomatoes can into contact with the aluminum foil exceeding guidelines outlined by W.H.O, which was often further exacerbated with spices. Professor Ghada Bassioni concluded that cooking with aluminum foil allows the metal to enter the body, and it is not suitable for cooking especially with acidic foods.
Take away is that aluminum foil is not fully inert, the dangers occur most when it is heated to high temperatures, and when exposed to certain foods it has been shown to leach a portion of its metallic compounds into food where it is then ingested; after being ingested it can build up in the blood, muscles, and organs to contribute to all manners of health problems that science is starting to understand how negative these consequences may be.
Keeping aluminum foil out of the kitchen and away from foods that will be ingested may be the safest bet. There are alternatives to preparing, storing, and cooking foods that won’t have any of these possible ill effects such as glass containers. Glass is said to be completely inert and will not transfer any harmful chemical or metals into food, regardless of how acidic they are. Once more glass can be used over and over again saving money; and glass can be used for storage, preparation, and cooking saving even more money.
Cooking food items that would normally use foil such as fish or baked potatoes can substitute the foil for using a glass dish with a lid, which will have the same effects and will not leach its compounds into the food. High quality glass bakeware is a nicer material to use that will not create waste. Glass cookware also typically will produce a higher quality dish, which is just a no brainer win win. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure the glass cookware has been rated for your intended use.
FAQs
Is aluminium foil hazardous for our health? No, aluminium foil in itself is not hazardous for our health. However, as a precautionary measure strongly acidic products or foods that contain a lot of salt shouldn't be kept or barbecued in aluminium foil.
Is aluminum foil toxic when heated? ›
Bottom line: There's no need to worry about aluminum foil.
"I have never seen or heard of a case of aluminum toxicity," Wegman says.
Why should you avoid aluminum foil? ›
One of the other reasons why we shouldn't store leftover food in aluminium foil is that it doesn't do a good enough job to keep oxygen from getting into the food. This allows bacteria to grow inside the food, which may spoil the food the next day and it'll go bad just as quickly as if you hadn't wrapped it up at all.
Is aluminium foil harmful for health? ›
Regular contact does not appear to cause problems. When it comes to aluminum foil, small amounts of aluminum leach into food that's cooked using aluminum foil or aluminum cookware. Thankfully, the body has numerous mechanisms in place to help rid the body of excess amounts of this metal.
Is baking in aluminum foil harmful? ›
Research conducted by the International Aluminum Institute shows that only minimal amounts of aluminum transfer from cookware and foil into food, making it safe for cooking and food storage.
Does aluminum foil leach into your food? ›
Vegetables. Meat and fish are not the only foods prone to accumulating aluminum when cooked in foil or aluminum cooking vessels. Aluminum leached into every vegetable extract tested, but varied by the type of vegetable, temperature, cooking time, and presence of salt.
Is aluminum foil carcinogenic? ›
Research has also shown the benefits of aluminum foil in preserving foods. In conclusion, using aluminum foil is safe and does not cause cancer. There are only a few things to keep in mind while using aluminum foil. When using it in the air-fryer, add a thin layer of butter or oil to avoid foods sticking to the foil.
Is parchment paper safer than aluminum foil? ›
Both aluminum foil and parchment paper are totally safe to use—though parchment is more environmentally friendly. When it comes to cooking and baking, aluminum can serve as an effective alternative to parchment in some cases, but not all—it really just depends on what you're making.
What are the symptoms of aluminium poisoning? ›
Liver stenosis and nephrotic syndrome are other important manifestations of aluminum toxicity. Brain and respiratory system can also be severely damaged, followed by aluminum poisoning. Memory loss, tremor, jerk, and death are important manifestations of brain injury.
Why can't you cook with wrapping foil? ›
Aluminium is significantly more likely to leach into food, and at higher levels, in acidic and liquid food solutions like lemon and tomato juice than in those containing alcohol or salt. Leaching levels climb even more when spice is added to food that's cooked in aluminium foil.
Quite simply, it doesn't matter what side of aluminum folk you use. Either is acceptable. Since the exact same material makes up both sides, they will perform precisely the same way. The only difference is aesthetic.
Is foil worse than plastic? ›
It's difficult to make a clear-cut choice between these two wrapping solutions. However, some experts suggest that foil may be slightly better for the environment than plastic, as it can be recycled more easily and requires less energy to produce.
Is there a difference between tin foil and aluminum foil? ›
Tin foil is stiffer than aluminium foil. It tends to give a slight tin taste to food wrapped in it, which is a major reason it has largely been replaced by aluminium and other materials for wrapping food.
Is Reynolds wrap aluminum foil safe? ›
Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil fully complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for direct contact with food.
How does aluminium affect the human body? ›
Exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can affect your health. Workers who breathe large amounts of aluminum dusts can have lung problems, such as coughing or abnormal chest X-rays.
Why is aluminium not good for cooking? ›
Aluminum can react with acidic or alkaline foods, causing them to pick up a metallic taste and altering the flavor of the dish. According to several studies, long-term exposure to high levels of aluminum may be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Is it safe to heat food in aluminum foil in the microwave? ›
If your microwave has a metal turntable or metal shelving, don't use aluminum foil. Cover only 1/4 of your food with foil to reduce the risk of fire and to thoroughly heat your food. Because aluminum foil will reflect the radio waves, if you cover all of the food, it won't heat up.
Which side of aluminum foil is toxic? ›
Reynold's Kitchen, an aluminium foil manufacturer since 1947, says: "It's perfectly fine to place your food on either side so you can decide if you prefer to have the shiny or dull side facing out." It's simply a result of the manufacturing process. The performance of the foil is the same, whichever side you use.
