Teflon as a weight-loss aid
A 2016 article in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology ("Polytetrafluoroethylene Ingestion as a Way to Increase Food Volume and Hence Satiety Without Increasing Calorie Content") proposed using Teflon as a weight-loss aid. The idea was to add powdered Teflon to food in order to bulk up the food's volume without adding calories. From the article:
Maybe they're right about the harmless effects of ingesting Teflon, but it sure would be an uphill battle to convince the public of this given the widespread concern about ingesting Teflon from scratched pans. The manufacturer of Teflon briefly addresses this concern on the Teflon.com website:
via New Scientist
PTFE, a plastic commonly known as Teflon®, can be used to supplement volume in the diet by mixing the raw material (virgin PTFE powder) into food. Because PTFE is heat resistant, its mixing into food can take place before or after cooking. PTFE is soft and contributes no flavor (evident by its use in tongue piercings) and hence does not detract from the eating experience. It is also resistant to the strongest acids (PTFE containers are used industrially for storing acids) and therefore will not be degraded by stomach acid. It is extremely inert (widely considered to be the most inert material known) so it will not react within the body. It has a low coefficient of friction so that it will not scratch the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during transport. Because of its chemical and physical properties and long history of use and contact with humans, PTFE is widely considered a very safe material. It is extensively used in medical devices (for instance, a large portion of the artificial blood vessel grafts that have been successfully implanted into people for decades are made from pure PTFE). For these reasons, PTFE is an ideal material for use as a nonmetabolized food volume bulking agent.
Maybe they're right about the harmless effects of ingesting Teflon, but it sure would be an uphill battle to convince the public of this given the widespread concern about ingesting Teflon from scratched pans. The manufacturer of Teflon briefly addresses this concern on the Teflon.com website:
Myth: I'm still not convinced that particles of nonstick coating won't come off during cooking and get into my food.
Fact: Particles from Teflon™ nonstick coatings are not harmful, even if ingested.
Fact: Particles from Teflon™ nonstick coatings are not harmful, even if ingested.
via New Scientist
Comments
And now the whole "micro plastics everywhere" problem. Eating the stuff by the spoonful might not have been so harmless as they believed
Posted by eddi on 09/26/24 at 03:58 AM
I'm guessing that not all microplastics are equally bad. But given that Teflon is so inert, I suspect that it will be around forever.
Posted by ges on 09/26/24 at 09:54 AM
Forget ingestion, if you were to line the digestive trac with Teflon* it would lead to massive weight loss in a fairly short time.
*Don't try this at home.
*Don't try this at home.
Posted by crc on 09/26/24 at 10:49 AM
I know there have been trials using plastic cubes in cattle feed for finishing yards. They were to provide necessary roughage while limiting handling of the bulk material both before and after eating.
The funny thing is, I don't know what happened in any of those trials! Every time I search, all I find are casual mentions without sources.
The funny thing is, I don't know what happened in any of those trials! Every time I search, all I find are casual mentions without sources.
Posted by Phideaux on 09/26/24 at 01:10 PM
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Category: Science | Dieting and Weight Loss