Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia that attacks the brain.
It is an irreversible, progressive, degenerative disorder that affects all aspects of a person – the way the person feels, thinks and acts. This fatal disease of the brain which impairs the brain functions has, in fact, no cure or proven preventive measures.
During the 1960′s and 1970′s studies revealed suspects that aluminum cookware may contribute significantly to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Extensive research evidenced that exposure of rabbit’s brain to aluminum revealed potential damage similar to that of Alzheimer’s disease.
However further studies illustrated that the brains of Alzheimer’s patients had high concentrations of aluminum.
Experts in this area of research say that aluminum does not pose any potential threat while some argue that there is an uncertain connection. Hence the relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease is quite conflicting in nature.
Aluminum cookware and Alzheimer disease:
Aluminum is the third most abundant, soft and highly reactive metal that can dissolve into our food especially when you are cooking some acidic ingredients.
Cooking acidic foods like tomatoes can cause leaching and when the food absorbs the aluminum naturally you are swallowing the aluminum particles along with the food.
It is also advisable not to store any acidic ingredients in aluminum vessels or pots. This reaction results in the liberation of aluminum salts that are most commonly associated and linked with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
However, as aluminum is the third most abundant element available on the earth’s crust the intake of aluminum is highly unavoidable. However, the amount of aluminum we are likely to consume is very minimal. Yes, the aluminum ingested from the cookware is insignificant in nature.
This implies that aluminum cookware is the least thing to worry about.
However, from a precautionary perspective, it is better to limit the usage of aluminum cookware until we are convinced about the authentic and reliable evidence of the safety of aluminum.
Controversies with regard to the connection between Aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease:
Though there is a potential correlation between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease cooking with aluminum pots and pans and Alzheimer’s disease is indeed controversial and unproven.
Studies validate that the lesions of the autopsies of brains of Alzheimer patients indicated higher levels of aluminum. However, some other researches evidence that there is no significant difference in the concentrations of aluminum in an Alzheimer patient and a normal person.
Moreover, recent studies have clearly evidenced that the increased levels of aluminum were due to Alzheimer’s disease itself. This is because the brains that suffered irreparable damage on account of Alzheimer’s disease tend to concentrate and store aluminum.
The disputatious arguments from both sides raise the question of whether aluminum contributes to Alzheimer’s or not?
However, the majority of the researchers argue and conclude that aluminum is in no way responsible for these deadly diseases and even the FDA has advocated the use of aluminum to be really safe.
The alternative for aluminum cookware:
Anodized aluminum cookware is the best alternative available in the market today as the anodized procedure electrochemically alters the surface of the cookware.
This makes it suitable for cooking even acidic ingredients without the risk of aluminum particles entering the food. This is because aluminum anodized cookware does not react to acidic foods and hence is considered as the best alternative for aluminum cookware.
More: 5 Different Essential Types of Cookware Needed For Every Kitchen
Is aluminum cookware safe for use?
Early back in the 1970′s research findings indicated that people who died of Alzheimer’s disease exhibited high levels of aluminum in their brain. People were frightened and perplexed and threw away all the aluminum cookware that they were using.
However, as recent studies evidence that the increased levels of aluminum were in fact due to the Alzheimer’s itself. Yes, aluminum accumulation is a result of the disease rather than a causal agent.
Hence current research believes that aluminum is absolutely safe to use. To validate this fact they have put into perspective that even many medications contain considerable quantities of aluminum in them.
Conclusion:
We are exposed to this abundantly occurring natural element – aluminum. Scientific evidence has not really expressed that cooking in aluminum cookware could expose you to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Moreover, as per the continuing research of the Alzheimer’s Association, there is no conclusive evidence between the usage of aluminum cookware and the disease.
Suggested read:
