Straws can really suck for your body’s health

Cavities and chemicals are just a couple reasons to ditch the plastic tube

Just a few years ago, you automatically received a straw with any cold takeout drink and probably didn’t think twice about it. No longer. Seattle is the latest city to join at least a dozen others across the United States in banning plastic straws. McDonald’s in the United Kingdom and KFC in Singapore have also served their final straws.

Governments and companies are taking this action because of the staggering volume of waste generated by something most people don’t need. A recent report by the World Economic Forum projects that by the year 2050, the plastic in our oceans will outweigh the fish. If that’s not persuasive enough, there are lesser-known health-related reasons to ditch the little plastic tube.

Gas and bloating Sipping from a straw introduces air into the digestive tract. This can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms, such as gas and bloating.

Cavities Drinking sugary or acidic beverages through a straw can increase the likelihood of cavities. Straws send a concentrated stream of liquid toward a small area of the teeth, which can erode enamel and cause tooth decay.

Chemicals Most single-use plastic straws are made from polypropylene, a type of plastic commonly made from petroleum. Polypropylene is thought to be food-safe in amounts approved by the Food and Drug Administration. But there is evidence that chemicals from polypropylene can leach into liquids and may release compounds that could affect estrogen levels, especially when exposed to heat, acidic beverages or UV light.

More established is the fact that degraded plastics found in the ocean are ingested by marine wildlife, making their way up the food chain and perhaps winding up at the dinner table.

Wrinkles On a lighter note, regular use of straws can also lead to the same wrinkles that smokers get around their mouths. These “pucker lines” could persuade the masses to stop using straws.

Excess sugar and alcohol consumption It’s been argued that sipping liquids such as soft drinks through a straw could contribute to excess sugar intake. The thought is that straws cause you to gulp down a greater volume of liquid more quickly than drinking from a glass or cup. Plus, people aren’t very accurate about estimating how much liquid they’re taking in, especially if they’re distracted by a movie or smartphone screen.

Acaveat For environmental reasons and because of the health implications, I’d be in favour of phasing out straws — with a caveat. They should still be available to people with disabilities who really need them.

In my work with patients with neuromuscular conditions and other difficulties, I’ve seen how drinking straws can allow for greater independence when drinking beverages. Paper straws aren’t firm enough for some of these individuals, so plastic straw bans could make their lives more difficult.

Offering plastic straws by request, as is done in some places, would permit only those who really need them to have access. For people who want to continue using straws, there are plenty of more eco-friendly options available such as bamboo, silicone, glass, stainless steel and even long tubes of pasta. Make sure your reusable straw hasn’t been chemically treated and is easily cleaned.