Cooking is an essential part of our lives. The food we eat greatly affects our health and well-being. However, not many people pay attention to the cookware they use while preparing meals. Rusty pots and pans are very common in most households, but using them can cause a serious health hazard. In this article, we will look at why it is essential to use cookware that is not rusty.
Firstly, rusty cookware can cause serious health problems. Rust contains iron oxide, which is a compound that can be toxic to humans when ingested in large amounts. When you use rusty pots or pans, tiny flakes of rust can mix with your food, and this can lead to iron poisoning. Symptoms of iron poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and dizziness. Furthermore, rust can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.
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Aside from rusty cookware, using scratched ceramic and non-stick pans can be equally dangerous to your health. Ceramic pans are generally non-stick and resistant to scratching. However, if they are scratched, the ceramic coating can break down, and this can lead to toxic chemicals leaching into your food. This is especially dangerous when you cook acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruits since they can cause the ceramic to break down faster.
Similarly, non-stick pans are popular for their ability to prevent food from sticking. However, the Teflon coating can be dangerous when it is scratched. When scratched, the Teflon coating can break down, releasing toxic fumes into the air. These fumes can cause a flu-like illness known as polymer fume fever. Let’s hear it from Dr. Sethi:
So, remember this, when you cook, ensure that you use pots and pans that are not rusty, scratched, or damaged. Rusty cookware can cause iron poisoning and bacterial infections. Meanwhile, scratched ceramic and non-stick pans can release toxic chemicals and fumes into your food. Therefore, investing in high-quality cookware is critical to your health and well-being.
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