Researchers say chemical used in food, beverage containers could ‘seriously damage’ brains

BAYREUTH, Germany - Researchers from the University of Bayreauth in Germany found evidence that common chemicals used in food and beverage storage could possibly cause nerve damage in the brain. 

Researchers analyzed BPA, or bisphenol A, an industrial chemical used to make plastics and resins, which are often used in containers that store food and beverages.

Specifically, most metal food and beverage cans have a thin interior coating that contains BPA. This coating protects the can from corrosion, and as a result, prevents contamination from dissolved metals or life-threatening bacteria.

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Study authors also analyzed BPA’s chemical relative bisphenol S (BPS) which they say is often considered to be less harmful. 

"In recent years, numerous health risks have already been associated with them, especially with bisphenol A (BPA)," study authors wrote.

Researchers tested the brain functions of fish and how they were impacted by the  plasticizers. They say these two chemicals disrupted the transmission of signals between nerve cells in the brains of fish and they believe this occurrence is "very likely" to occur in the brains of adult humans. 

CamelBak brand water bottles hang on display at an outdoor supply store on April 16, 2008 in Arcadia, California.

"The findings obtained through studies on fish brains justify the assessment that BPA and BPS can also seriously damage the brains of adult humans. Against this background, it is essential that science and industry develop new plasticisers to replace these bisphenols, while being safe for human health," said Dr. Peter Machnik, a co-author in the study. 

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"We were surprised how many vital brain functions in fish are affected by the plasticisers used in numerous industries. This damage, as we were able to show, does not occur immediately. However, when the brain cells are exposed to small amounts of BPA or BPS for a month, the damage is unmistakable," said Elisabeth Schirmer, a doctoral student from Bayreuth and first author of the study.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has reviewed over 300 scientific studies on BPA. Some found that the chemical has been known to seep into food or beverages from containers.

But the agency says the chemical is safe at very low levels, although in one study conducted by the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research, BPA was found to have passed from female rodents to their offspring. The FDA said the levels were "so low it could not be measured."

A 2019 study published by Australian and French researchers found BPA exposure was associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Researchers said the findings add to a growing body of evidence that indicates that these chemicals might play a role in increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The study tracked data from 755 people without diabetes over a nine year period. The participants’ BPA levels were tested at the start of the study and three years later.

Researchers found that those with higher levels of BPA in their fasted urine samples had a near doubling of the risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to those with the lowest average exposure. Additionally, the study found that those with detectable levels of BPS were also associated with an increased diabetes risk.

The link remained after adjusting for weight, diet and physical activity, researchers said.

"The present study adds to the limited literature on the prospective relationship between BPA exposure and diabetes risk and contributes to the growing body of evidence that BPA exposure may be a risk factor for diabetes independent of traditional diabetes risk factors," the study authors noted.

This story was reported from Los Angeles. FOX Television Stations’ Kelly Hayes contributed.