It is well-known to everyone that the composition of the food we eat directly affects human health. However, it has become known that the cooking method also plays a significant role in serious illnesses that may arise in our health in the future.
In most cases, people do not consider that they are preparing food in a more harmful way, thinking they are buying organic food. A new study published in a journal has shown that air pollution caused by smoke in enclosed spaces during cooking has a very negative impact on children's health, especially during adolescence.
Scientists analyzed data from over 7,000 people aged 45 and above in China. They represented various regions and social groups. Experts used modern statistical methods to assess the cause-and-effect relationships between exposure to air pollution during childhood and measures of cognitive functions.
The results revealed a significant correlation: people who were exposed to smoke from solid fuels (coal, wood, etc.) at home in their early years had considerably weaker thinking and memory indicators at age 45 and older. This undesirable association persisted even after considering various factors, including body mass index, education level, and income. All these factors once again demonstrated the extent to which environmental processes in early childhood affect brain development.
Detailed analyses also showed that men are more exposed to such negative factors than women. The existing situation is further exacerbated by unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol during adolescence.
The authors of the study emphasized that this research has significant implications for global health. In many countries, especially in rural areas and among low-income families, the number of people cooking with solid fuels remains high. This exposes children to harmful toxic gases that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, and as a result, direct contact with smoke, harmful substances, and gases over decades affects brain function. (Publika.az)