45. Study finds fast food often contains harmful chemicals
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
New research suggests that fast foods often contain harmful chemicals found in soft plastics. In a study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, researchers at George Washington University tested 64 fast food items from McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Taco Bell and Chipotle. They found small amounts of industrial chemicals called phthalates in all of the foods. Phthalates have previously been linked to many health problems, including fertility and reproductive problems. They have also been linked to an increased risk for learning, attention, and behavioral disorders in children. Foods sold by fast food chains are heavily processed, handled and packaged, giving the food plenty of opportunity to come into contact with phthalates.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
