According to a new study, adults and children can reduce their exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, including bisphenol-A (BPA), by eating more fruits and vegetables and less food from plastic containers and metal cans, USA Today reported.

Twenty study participants showed a 66 percent reduction of BPA in their urine after three days on a diet of fresh, organic and unpackaged food, scientists said.

Levels of another chemical, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP, fell 3 percent.

“This is the first study to provide clear evidence that food packaging is a major source of BPA and DEHP exposure in children and adults,” said study co-author Julia Brody,. executive director of the Silent Spring Institute, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that studies environmental factors in women’s health.

Prior research has found that BPA is present in at least 90 percent of Americans due to how prevalent it is in food packaging and other consumer items.  BPA is used to harden plastics in bottles and cups and is also in the linings of metal cans and cash register receipts.  DEHP is used to soften PVC and other plastics.

Researchers remain uncertain as to what are safe levels of these chemicals, which have been linked to breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, male infertility and other health problems.  The Food and Drug Administration has also expressed “some concerns” in the past about potential effects on the brain development of fetuses, infants and children.

Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council, which represents plastic manufacturers, insisted that BPA levels remain safe.

Currently, the U.S. government is spending $30 million for the National Institutes of Health to research the safety of BPA, and the FDA is supporting the efforts of food packaging companies to find alternatives. Some states are banning BPA use in food and drink containers intended for children aged 3 and younger.

The study authors recommended these tips to help consumers reduce their BPA levels, as quoted from USA Today:

1. The Fresh is best. BPA and phthalates can migrate from the linings of cans and plastic packaging into food and drinks. While it’s not practical to avoid food packaging altogether, opt for fresh or frozen instead of canned food asmuch as possible.

2. Eat in. Studies have shown that people who eat more meals prepared outside the home have higher levels of BPA. To reduce your exposure, consider cooking more meals at home with fresh ingredients. When you do eat out, choose restaurants that use fresh ingredients.

3. Store it safe. Food and drinks stored in plastic can collect chemicals from the containers, especially if the foods are fatty or acidic. Next time, try storing your leftovers in glass or stainless steel instead of plastic.

4. Don’t microwave in plastic. Warmer temperatures increase the rate of chemicals leaching into food and drinks. So use heatresistant glass or ceramic containers when you microwave, or heat your food on the stove. The label “microwave safe” means safety for the container, not your health.

5. Brew the old-fashioned way. Automatic coffee makers may have BPA and phthalates in their plastic containers and tubing. When you brew your coffee, consider using a French press to get your buzz without the BPA.

The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

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