People who eat canned soup should be aware about the chemical which is used to line the tin. This chemical is leached into the food and finished up in the body. Eating canned food on routine basis can increase the levels of chemical BPA (bisphenol A) in the urine of users.

The earlier studies have linked higher levels of BPA with unfavorable health effects. This chemical is already banned in Europe from baby bottles. However, this chemical is still used as coating in cans to prevent decay and for keeping the food fresh. Cans of some soft drinks and bottles also contain BPA.

For analyzing the concerns associated with canned food a team led by Dr Jenny Carwile from the Harvard School of Public Health carried out a study. All the study participants were asked to eat either freshly made serving of vegetarian soup or one out of a can a day for five days.

After the period of one week the study participants were switched over with the intention that the fresh soup eating participants now ate the canned variety. The result of urine tests from samples after fresh soup consumption showed BPA presence by seventy-seven percent and while the presence of BPA was one hundred percent from sample taken after canned soup consumption.

The study showed that a serving of tinned soup a day seemed to raise level of BPA by twenty times. The average concentration of BPA after fresh soup consumption was 1.1 go/L in comparison it was 20.8 go/L, after consuming canned soup. These levels of BPA were among the most extreme reported in a non-occupational surroundings.

According to lead researcher Dr Jenny Carwile, it has been known for a while that drinking beverages that have been stored in certain hard plastics can raise the amount of BPA in human body. This study suggests that canned foods may be an even greater concern, especially given their wide use.

The degree of the increase BPA levels in urine, which they observed after just one serving of soup was unexpected and may be of worry among people who regularly consume foods from cans. It may be advisable for manufacturers to consider eliminating BPA from can linings, explained Karin Michels, study co-author.

Video : BPA Health Concerns