New Science Reveals Eating This Food Can Eliminate Carcinogenic “Forever Chemicals” In Your Body

Did you know that there are many items in your daily life that are effectively hurting you without you likely even realizing it? Apparently, many things, from nonstick pans to waterproof clothing, leech dangerous chemicals into our environments and bodies that can cause quite massive health dangers. 

Yet, there’s a possibility for a light at the end of the tunnel—new research found that there’s one thing everyone can eat to minimize the influence of these chemicals on our bodies. Granted, further research is needed for firmer answers, but at least there is some hope.

Plenty of our commonplace items are leeching dangerous chemicals into our environment and bodies

Young woman eating a bowl of fiber-rich berries, promoting the body’s ability to get rid of cancer-causing forever chemicals

Image credits: benzoix / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The worst thing about it is—these chemicals are called dubbed “forever” ones, since once they enter, they never leave

A study suggests that eating might help flush out cancer-causing forever chemicals from the body. 

Forever chemicals also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are long-lasting chemicals, which break down very slowly over time. The thing is that they are very widely used. For instance, they’re found in such commonplace things as nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, waterproof clothing, cleaning products, and even toilet paper. Basically, most of the things that make our lives more convenient. 

Blue bowl of fiber-rich oats with red currants, blueberries, and strawberry on brown napkins, promoting fiber benefits.

Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Turns out, convenience has a price. In this case, the price is being “contaminated” with forever chemicals. PFAS are found in people and animal blood, food products, and the environment all around the world. The worst thing about it is that many studies show that people’s exposure to these chemicals leads to harmful health effects. 

These effects can be various—from increasing the risk of organ failure to infertility to cancer. Basically, nothing good. And as their “forever chemicals” name suggests, once they enter a person’s body, they don’t leave it—they stay there forever. Or, at least that’s what has been believed up until now. 

Then, they can cause health problems like cancer, infertility and many others

Fresh mushrooms and a kitchen knife on a wooden cutting board, highlighting fiber’s role in removing cancer-causing chemicals.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Recently, scientists found that fiber helps the digestive tract to filter out these chemicals. Researchers in Boston compared men who took a fiber supplement three times a day to those who had a rice-based supplement for four weeks. They found that those who took fiber had an eight percent reduction of perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are two of the most dangerous forms of PFAS. 

Essentially, the researchers believe fiber forms a gel that stops cells lining the gut from absorbing these PFAS, because the gel stops bile acids, which help break down fats, from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, the excess bile gets passed through feces. That means that fiber might help flush forever chemicals out of the body before they manage to linger and cause too much damage. 

Scientist wearing mask and gloves examining samples under microscope in lab studying fiber effects on chemicals.

Image credits: dusanpetkovic / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Granted, that doesn’t mean that all types of fiber get rid of all types of PFAS. Plus, the timing of the experiment was limited as well, meaning that it’s not clear how long-term these results are. All these limitations suggest that further research is needed to get firmer answers to these questions. 

Yet, recently, a new study showed that there’s one thing people can do to minimize the effects of these chemicals

Plastic waste on lake shore with water in the background, highlighting pollution and forever chemicals impact on body health.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The other—kind of related—problem is that, at least among Americans, most people do not consume a recommended amount of fiber (25 to 30 grams). That means that they not only lose out on the prospect of getting rid of at least some of these forever chemicals, but they also put their health at risk in other aspects. 

After all, it’s pretty commonly known that fiber prevents colon and some other cancers, helps the digestive system, and has many other benefits. So, what we can leave you with is food for thought—maybe you should up your dietary fiber intake?

That thing is—to eat more fiber, which is not only beneficial for health in other ways, but also likely prevents these forever chemicals from staying in the body for a prolonged time

Comment about beta-glucan fiber from oats and mushrooms supporting the removal of cancer-causing forever chemicals.

Person sharing wellness advice about sweating and cleansing the body, highlighting fiber's role in removing harmful chemicals.

Text excerpt explaining how fiber helps the body eliminate cancer-causing agents and toxins faster through the gut.

Comment emphasizing eating organic vegetables and water to reduce processed foods, relating to fiber helping remove cancer-causing chemicals.

Text excerpt with blue heading discussing clay adsorbing PFAS better than food fibers suggesting eating dirt, related to fiber helping body remove cancer-causing chemicals.

Text excerpt from a fifth grader about preferring natural rice over supplements, emphasizing healthy food choices.

Comment about oats being high in glyphosate, highlighting concerns about toxins and fiber's role in removing cancer-causing forever chemicals.

Comment text discussing the body's ability to flush out cancer-causing forever chemicals through fiber-rich foods.

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