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Soap and children's toys increase the risk of developing diabetes
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Substances present in everyday things – soap, lotions, food packaging – disrupt the synthesis of the hormone insulin in the human body. Consequently, the risk of developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1) increases.
Swedish scientists believe that the risk of diabetes doubles in people who frequently come into contact with phthalates, which are found in detergents, children's toys and plastic products. This once again confirms the fact that chemicals in the environment contribute to the diabetes epidemic. Scientists believe that all products, plastics, detergents and personal hygiene products containing fragrances should be banned from mass production and sale.
In the study, the researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 1,000 men and women aged 70 years and older, and also tested the levels of glucose, insulin, and toxins due to the breakdown of phthalates in the blood. As expected, diabetes was more common in people who were overweight and had high levels of bad cholesterol. At the same time, the scientists found a relationship between blood sugar levels and certain phthalates. This relationship remained even after factors such as obesity, bad cholesterol, smoking, and physical activity were taken into account. Some people who had high levels of phthalates in the blood had a risk of diabetes twice as high as people with low levels of phthalates.
In addition, the researchers found that phthalate levels may be associated with an increased risk of impaired insulin synthesis. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter the body's cells from the blood. When insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities, diabetes develops.
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