Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022) • Hacker News Board

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#321

Post by jibe » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:08 PM UTC

AstralStorm wrote: post #210

InvaderFizz wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I prefer course grained and no anti caking agents or iodine added. It's nothing special, some no-name Himalayan pink salt in a plastic grinder.

Well, iodine is required for life so you better get some elsewhere, like from a supplement. It's not present in sufficient amounts in water or plants these days...

Lack of iodine in the diet was an issue 100 years ago, but not so much now.

According to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, tests have shown that the population in the United States is “iodine sufficient.” Most Americans who eat a varied diet get enough iodine even if they don’t use iodized salt. They are at little risk of iodine deficiency*

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/well/eat/should-we-be-buy...

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#322

Post by Octokiddie » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:08 PM UTC

> A study published in 2019 analyzed a decade of data about the eating habits of 10,000 people, which was collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 2003 and 2014. Blood samples from the study participants were also collected. The researchers found that people who ate microwave popcorn every day over the course of a year had levels of PFAS that were up to 63% higher than average.

1. Is it too much to ask for a link to the original research in an article like this?

2. Given that every human alive has detectable levels of PFAS in blood, 63% elevation after eating every single day of the year doesn't seem like a lot.

3. Those advocating popping in pans/pots might want to consider what that pan/pot is coated with.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#323

Post by Scoundreller » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:09 PM UTC

itzworm wrote: post #126

gruez wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's wrong with the anti-caking agents?

Well it's not salt for one.

I mean, calcium silicate _is_ a salt. As is sodium ferrocyanate.

You want your anti-caking agent to absorb a lot of moisture and a salt is the way to do it.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#324

Post by Scoundreller » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:12 PM UTC

Etrnl_President wrote: post #200

gruez wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's wrong with the anti-caking agents?

Starch is a common anti-caking agent. Too much of it will make you fat.

Sir, this a discussion about popcorn.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#325

Post by kevincox » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:13 PM UTC

sakex wrote: post #172

qwertox wrote: post #163

> My kids eat microwaved popcorn almost every night. Should I be worried? Wouldn't they risk getting obese?

Popcorn are very low calories and they're quite filling

While popcorn itself is low calorie and filling most microwave popcorn includes loads of oil which is fairly energy dense.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#326

Post by SethMurphy » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:14 PM UTC

Try the stovetop method with preferred oil and then drizzle honey before heating. Higher risk of burning, more shaking is needed. When popped, lightly salt. Make sure to rinse the pot with water while still hot to not allow sticky burnt sugars to get solidified for an easier cleanup.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#327

Post by Scoundreller » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:17 PM UTC

maffikins wrote: post #290

ClumsyPilot wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

why would it fuck up a coffee grinder?

Salt corrodes stuff

And salt is a lot harder than a coffee bean. Blade is probably a really weak/soft metal. Might be harder than salt on the Mohs scale, but that just buys you time.

Blade also gets kicked around more going around the salt instead of grinding through, more bending = shorter lifespan.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#328

Post by leesalminen » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:19 PM UTC

InvaderFizz wrote: post #33

Best popcorn you can make is cheap and easy cleanup. Take one large pot (the kind that holds like 10qts). Cover the bottom with kernels. Add a bit of oil, basically just enough to swirl and have everything covered in an oil sheen, not enough to have them submerged. Cover, put on high (I use gas). I like to suspend a paper towel between the lid and the rest of the pot, absorbs excess oil and water. Once popping slows,…

> Cover, put on high (I use gas). I like to suspend a paper towel between the lid and the rest of the pot, absorbs excess oil and water.

Cool tip, thanks. I use basically the same steps except fort this one. Living in a high humidity environment (it's rarely below 70%), any step to reduce excess moisture helps improve the crunchiness of the popcorn.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#329

Post by Scoundreller » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:24 PM UTC

jibe wrote: post #321

AstralStorm wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, iodine is required for life so you better get some elsewhere, like from a supplement. It's not present in sufficient amounts in water or plants these days...

Lack of iodine in the diet was an issue 100 years ago, but not so much now. According to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, tests have shown that the population in the United States is “iodine sufficient.” Most Americans who eat a varied diet get enough iodine even if they don’t use iodized salt. They are at little risk of iodine deficiency* https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/well/eat/…

It’s worth it for anyone to read the article. Plenty of circumstances that could lead to deficiency.

I think the “varied diet” usually means Americans get enough through non-home use iodized salt (like processed/restaurant foods). As the article says, seafood (plant or not) and dairy are good iodine sources, if you consume them.

Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)

#330

Post by light_hue_1 » Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 2:30 PM UTC

f5ve wrote: post #292

tabiv wrote: post #252

Recently my wife and I searched for a drinking water filter that would remove PFAS. We found one! https://www.clearlyfiltered.com/pages/performance-data-for-t...

It removes flouride as well, for better or worse -- one of very few available filters which do. (Some think flouride is good and some think it's bad.) I have it, and purely ergonomically, it's the best filter I've ever used. It's also quite expensive with expensive filters that need replacing frequently.

This isn't a some think it's good and some think it's bad kind of thing. Just like with climate change there's no legitimate other side.

Fluoride in your water supply is key to reducing tooth decay. Every medical association every scrap of evidence that we have says it's useful and important. It cuts tooth decay by 25% or so at all ages. You're doing yourself and your family a massive disservice by not adding it back in, never mind causing yourself a lot of pain and losing a lot of money in the long term.

https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html

I think it's ironic that people don't listen to doctors when they suggest simple proven methods that have a worldwide consensus behind them and unlimited evidence. But then are willing to let those same doctors drill into their skulls when they're in pain. Don't be that person :)