Top 12 Kitchen Items That Cause Inflammation

Top 12 Kitchen Items That Cause Inflammation

Your health starts in the kitchen. I bet you’ve heard this before. Whole foods and healthy homemade meals can set your body up for success. But it’s not just about your food. Your kitchen tools, appliances, and kitchen cleaning products can harm your food quality and health. Fortunately, it is simple to replace these with safe options to support your health.

In this article, I will discuss the importance of a healthy kitchen. I will also share the top 10 kitchen items you should replace and will offer some healthy options instead.

Importance of a Healthy Kitchen

A healthy kitchen is foundational to your overall well-being. The quality of the food you prepare and eat every day affects every cell of your body. Choosing a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet rich in good fats, protein, minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients can support a stable blood sugar, gut microbiome balance, hormonal balance, immune health, and brain function.

On the other hand, a diet high in processed foods and low in nutrients can increase the risk of inflammation, chronic symptoms, and chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration.

A healthy kitchen doesn’t stop with food. Kitchen tools and appliances play a meaningful role in food quality and your health. Regular use of plastic containers, cutting boards, and utensils, cookware made with Teflon or aluminum, or microwaves can damage your food quality and increase your risk of health issues.

Cleaning your kitchen tools or food with chemical-heavy conventional products can also add to your toxic load. Fortunately, there are some easy swaps to help you improve your kitchen health, maintain food safety, and improve your health.

Top 12 Kitchen Items to Replace

Now that you understand the importance of a healthy kitchen, let’s look at the top 10 kitchen items you want to consider replacing for better health.

Plastic Cutting Boards 

Plastics are one of the biggest problems I see in modern-day kitchens. One major issue with plastics is microplastics, which can be released in the kitchen when plastic cutting boards,  containers, wrappers, plates, utensils, or food packaging break down through heat, friction, or repeated use.

Microwaving food in plastic, washing plastic items in hot water, or chopping on plastic cutting boards, and other activities can contribute to tiny plastic particles shedding into food and the surrounding environment.

A 2024 prospective, multicenter, observational study published in The New England Journal of Medicine looked into the dangers of microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque buildup and cardiovascular events (1).

The study looked at 304 participants who were undergoing carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery disease, 257 of them completed the study. Researchers found polyethulene in the carotid artery plaque in 58.4 percent of participants (150), the mean being 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram in each plaque. In 12.1 percent (31 participants), they found polyvinyl chloride at a mean of 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram per plaque. 

Moreover, radiographic images have shown chlorine and other particles and electron microscopy found visible, jagged-edged foreign particles in samples. Researchers found that patients with micro and nanoplastic findings had a higher risk of an end-point event, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or death of any cause, than those without. Additionally, in the cases where micro or nanoplastics were found within the atheroma had an increased risk of an end-point event.

A 2025 study published in Nature Medicine looked at the effects of microplastics on the brain (2). Researchers looked at de-identified, postmortem human liver, kidney, and brain samples autopsied between 2016 and 2024.

They found a median value of total microplastics at 433 and 404 µg g−1 in liver and kidney samples. For brain samples, they found a median of 3345 µg g−1 in 2016 samples and 4917 µg g−1 in 2024 ones. 

The 2024 samples had an overall higher level of microplastics in the brain and the liver, suggesting potential increased exposure and accumulation. Brain samples had higher levels of microplastics by 7 to 30 times than liver and kidney samples, suggesting that the brain is a more vulnerable organ. Moreover, dementia cases had higher levels of microplastics than non-dementia samples, showing an association between microplastics and dementia, but not causation.

Plastic cutting boards are among the biggest culprits behind microplastic exposure in the kitchen. Additionally, plastic cutting boards can get easily stained, knives leave marks on them, and the smell or taste of the food can stay despite cleaning. Instead, I recommend using wood or glass cutting boards.

Plastic Cups 

Plastic cups can damage your health through microplastic exposure. It’s also not good for our environment. The same holds true for plastic bowls, water bottles, plates, and utensils.

Use glass or ceramic for cups and bowls instead of plastic. Choose ceramic plates, ceramic or bamboo serving bowls, glass measuring cups, and stainless steel utensils. 

Plastic Tupperware 

Tupperware are convenient storage option for leftovers, dried goods, and lunch for school or work.

Plastic tupperware, however, is unhealthy. I recommend using glass options instead, such as this great 24-piece glass tupperware set. Besides plastic storage, avoid styrofoam containers from take-out too.

Aluminum or Plastic Foil

Aluminum and plastic foils are items that many people use daily to wrap their food and cover their plates or food containers. Unfortunately, both can be incredibly harmful.

Aluminum is essentially everywhere, including deodorants, baking soda, baking powder, aluminum foil, aspirin, antacids, and cosmetics. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports connected high aluminum exposure to neuropathology in Alzheimer’s disease (3).

Researchers conducted phosphorylated tau–specific immunolabeling, a laboratory technique used to detect tau protein that has been phosphorylated, followed by aluminum-specific fluorescence microscopy on the same brain tissue sections using a sequential labeling protocol. 

Tau proteins are a protein found in neurons that helps stabilize microtubules. Phosphorylated tau is a tau protein that has had phosphate groups added to it. The study found aluminum to be co-localized with immunoreactive phosphorylated tau in familial Alzheimer’s disease (fAD) donor brains, mainly co-deposited with cortical senile plaques. Findings suggest that aluminum deposits may be linked to neuropathology in fAD.

Aluminum foils are among the most common culprits of aluminum exposure in your kitchen. Due to microplastic exposure, plastic wraps are not better at all. I recommend that you replace aluminum and plastic foils with beeswax wraps. Our household’s favorite is Bee’s Wrap.

Plastic Lunch or Food Storage Bags 

Just plastic tupperware and foils, plastic lunch bags and food storage bags are convenient, but increase the risk of microplastic load and health issues. I recommend using these 100% Compostable food storage bags instead.

They are made of corn starch, are completely natural, fully compostable, and much better for your body and the environment.

Microwaves  

Microwave is a very quick heating method. It is easy to use, saves energy, and is efficient. The problem is that it can alter your food, including its appearance, flavor, and nutrient content (4). Additionally, microwave radiation can be harmful to your health as well. 

A 2022 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences looked at the effects of microwave radiation on the brain, including learning, memory capabilities, and brain dysfunction (5).

The review discussed that while various studies found that microwave use in your kitchen has neutral effects on the human brain, some studies found that microwaves can affect neural activity, correlating with operational frequency, microwave intensity, and exposure time, and may increase DNA damage and neurodegeneration, and according to some animal studies, it can affect learning and memory. 

Considering that there are better alternatives to microwaves that don’t sacrifice flavor and nutrient content, it is not worth the potential health risk. Instead of using a microwave, I recommend using a conventional oven instead.

This Breville smart countertop oven, made with stainless steel and offering 10 cooking functions, is one of my favorites. Additionally, air fryers and Instant Pots are also great options for cooking.

Tap Water

Most people assume that the water flowing through their pipes and coming out of the tap is clean water. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our tap water is often contaminated with a wide range of harmful substances, including heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, fluoride, chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, herbicides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria, and pathogens. 

These substances, even in trace amounts, can add up when you are exposed several times a day by drinking tap water and increase your risk of various health issues. For example, a 2024 review published in Neuroscience has linked fluoride to cognitive impairment (6). Researchers found that excess fluoride may result in cognitive impairment of the nervous system and a reduction in cognitive performance by affecting the structure and function of the brain. 

They found that cognitive function was affected differently across various age groups by fluoride. Exposure during the prenatal period, it increased the risk of developmental delay in both infants and young children, and post-natal exposure increased the risk of lower IQ and attention deficit. In older adults, it increased the risk of memory loss, neurological impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Having a whole house filtration system may drastically improve your life and long-term health. I highly recommend Aquasauna’s whole house filtration system. They have high-quality products and great customer service.

With this said, the Aquasauna filters aren’t the best for drinking water.  My family uses the Aquasauna whole house water filter so the water we use for showering and cleaning dishes and our hands is cleaner.

We have separate drinking water filters and use both the Aquatrue reverse osmosis water filter and the UltraLux Triple Action Hydrogen Water Machine as it is powered by molecular hydrogen which reduces oxidative stress in the body and improves immune function.

I also like a good, distilled water system because they pull all toxins and contaminants out including radiation.  This is a good Distilled Water System, that makes 5 gallons of water a day with 3-gallon reserve.  Simply add back a 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt for every gallon (or just a light pinch per 8-16 oz) to add back minerals.  

If finances is a concern, I recommend systems like Aquatrue or the Berkey system for low-cost filtration.  They are low cost, yet have a remarkable ability to remove glyphosate, other unhealthy chemical toxins, pathogenic bacteria, parasites, and cysts.

They are able to significantly reduce fluoride and arsenic via the “PF” line of filters.  With that said, they are not able to fully remove these chemicals.  But they are portable and do not rely on electricity, hence they are perfect if you are living in an apartment or a rental home.

Teflon Pans 

Non-stick cookware, like Teflon, is convenient and popular. Unfortunately, they are also incredibly toxic to your health. Non-stick frying pans can reach 736 F in only 3 minutes and 20 seconds of cooking, and as time passes, temperatures only continue to climb.

Teflon pans can reach up to 721F within just 5 minutes when used on a conventional, electric stovetop burner. This means that the release of toxic chemicals starts within the first few minutes of cooking (7). 

Using Teflon and non-stick cookware can increase the risk of endocrine system, immune system, liver, thyroid, hormonal, and other health issues. Teflon is the brand name for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs), however, other non-stick brands use the same chemicals. 

A 2010 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives explained that PFOAs cannot be metabolized by the body, are genotoxic, and can affect the endocrine system, liver, and immune health (8). They also found some evidence that PFOAs may also increase uric acid, cholesterol, and liver enzyme levels.

Instead of using Teflon or other non-stick cookware, I recommend using Chef’s Foundry, lead-free glass, such as this Visions Glass Dutch Cookware, or cast iron, such as this Dutch Cast Iron Cookware. To learn more about non-toxic cookware choices, I recommend reading this article.

Dish Soap  

Conventional cleaning products, including dish soap’s are filled with chemicals.  These compounds including formaldehyde, phthalates, ethanolamines, dyes, and fragrances. 

These toxic chemicals can increase allergic reactions, skin problems, respiratory issues, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and even cancer.  I recommend using Truly Free dish soap and Branch Basics multisurface concentrate instead.

Dishwasher Detergent

Just like other conventional cleaning and household products, traditional dishwasher detergents are full of toxic chemicals. Formaldehyde, phthalates, ethanolamines, polyethylene glycol, sodium sulfates, triclosan, chlorine, dyes, and fragrances are among the potential chemicals and toxins found in conventional dishwasher detergents.

Instead of using chemical-filled dishwasher detergent, such as Truly Free or Branch Basics dishwasher tablets.

Ultra-Processed Foods  

I’ve written about the dangers of eating ultra-processed foods extensively, for example, in this article. Ultra-processed foods are low in nutrients but are loaded with refined sugar, refined oil, artificial ingredients, additives, and other unhealthy ingredients.

Instead of eating ultra-processed foods, I recommend that you stick to nutrient-dense, whole, real foods, including colorful greens, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, herbs, and spices, clean protein, including grass-fed meat, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, wild-caught fish and seafood and wild game, and healthy fats, including avocados, coconut oil, coconut meat, extra-virgin olive oil, olives, grass-fed butter, ghee and tallow.

Seed Oils 

Seed oils, such as sunflower oil, safflower oil, canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and grapeseed oil, are everywhere in our ultra-processed lives, including in fried foods, baked goods, processed snacks, and fast food.

These oils are very high in omega-6, linoleic acid, are highly processed, and are prone to oxidation, and promote inflammation in the body. You can learn more about the problems with seed oils by reading this article. Instead of seed oils, I recommend using olive oil, butter, ghee, beef tallow and coconut oil for healthy fats.

GI Detox 

To detoxify your body from environmental toxins, I recommend GI Detox. This supplement is a combination of nutrients formulated to provide broader activity than a single-ingredient product. Zeolite clay, activated charcoal, and silica are all binding agents with proven efficacy.

The other nutrients in G.I. Detox™+ support healthy digestion and elimination. The full-spectrum binding of G.I. Detox™+ provides a simple solution for environmental and internally produced detoxification.

It supports healthy detoxification and full-body cleaning, reduces bloating and gas, helps the clearance of mold metabolites, supports mental clarity, and allows a more pleasant cleansing experience.

I recommend 1 capsule on an empty stomach with a full glass of water or as directed by a healthcare professional. Take 1 hour apart from other medications and supplements. Do not use it during pregnancy.

Consult your physician before using any supplement, especially if you are nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medication. Discontinue use should adverse reactions occur. Keep out of reach of children. Store it in a cool dry place.

Final Thoughts

Your health depends on the health of your kitchen. This includes the health of your food, water, kitchen tools, appliances, and cleaning products. To improve your kitchen, I recommend that you consider the top 10 kitchen items you should replace, listed in this article and try the safe options I recommended instead to support your health and well-being.

If you want to work with a functional health coach, I recommend this article with tips on how to find a great coach. Our website offers long-distance functional health coaching programs with our world-class team of health coaches. For further support with your health and other goals, just reach out—our fantastic coaches are here to support your journey.

Inflammation Crushing Ebundle

The Inflammation Crushing Ebundle is designed to help you improve your brain, liver, immune system and discover the healing strategies, foods and recipes to burn fat, reduce inflammation and Thrive in Life!

As a doctor of natural medicine, I have spent the past 20 years studying the best healing strategies and worked with hundreds of coaching clients, helping them overcome chronic health conditions and optimize their overall health.

In our Inflammation Crushing Ebundle, I have put together my very best strategies to reduce inflammation and optimize your healing potential.  Take a look at what you will get inside these valuable guides below!

Sources in This Article Include:

1. Raffaele Marfella, Prattichizzo, F., Celestino Sardu, Fulgenzi, G., Graciotti, L., Spadoni, T., Nunzia D’Onofrio, Scisciola, L., Rosalba La Grotta, Chiara Frigé, Pellegrini, V., Maurizio Municinò, Siniscalchi, M., Spinetti, F., Vigliotti, G., Vecchione, C., Albino Carrizzo, Giulio Accarino, Squillante, A., & Spaziano, G. (2024). Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events. The New England Journal of Medicine, 390(10), 900–910. Link Here

2. Nihart, A. J., Garcia, M. A., El Hayek, E., Liu, R., Olewine, M., Kingston, J. D., Castillo, E. F., Gullapalli, R. R., Howard, T., Bleske, B., Scott, J., Gonzalez-Estrella, J., Gross, J. M., Spilde, M., Adolphi, N. L., Gallego, D. F., Jarrell, H. S., Dvorscak, G., Zuluaga-Ruiz, M. E., & West, A. B. (2025). Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nature Medicine, 31(31). Link Here

3. Mold, M. J., O’Farrell, A., Morris, B., & Exley, C. (2021). Aluminum and Tau in Neurofibrillary Tangles in Familial Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, 5(1), 283–294. Link Here

4. Deng X, Huang H, Huang S, et al. Insight into the incredible effects of microwave heating: Driving changes in the structure, properties and functions of macromolecular nutrients in novel food. Front Nutr. 2022;9:941527. Published 2022 Oct 13. Link  Here

5. Mumtaz S, Rana JN, Choi EH, Han I. Microwave Radiation and the Brain: Mechanisms, Current Status, and Future Prospects. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(16):9288. Published 2022 Aug 18. Link Here

6. Zhang, Y., Gao, Y., & Liu, X. (2024). Focus on cognitive impairment induced by excessive fluoride: an update review. Neuroscience. Link Here

7. EWG finds heated Teflon pans can turn toxic faster than DuPont claims Link Here

8. Steenland K, Fletcher T, Savitz DA. Epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Environ Health Perspect. 2010;118(8):1100-1108. Link Here