How to use chopsticks to not harm health?

Wood chopsticks that are not clean and wet can easily cause mold to cause cancer, so they need to be cleaned thoroughly and renewed every 4 months.

Chopsticks are indispensable eating utensils for many Asian countries, including Vietnam. However, chopsticks contain many health risks. The following is the risk that may be encountered when using chopsticks and how to prevent them, according to Sina.

Wooden chopsticks

Wooden chopsticks are most used by families. However, when the weather is wet, wood chopsticks are easy to produce Aspergillus Flavus.

Dr. Sun Feng, deputy head of the Department of First-Class Gastroenterology at Guangzhou Chinese Medical University, said Aflatoxin , a secondary metabolite created by Aspergillus flavus, is a carcinogen. Aflatoxin toxicity is 68 times stronger than arsenic, 10 times higher than potassium cyanide and can damage liver cells.

The wooden chopsticks themselves do not produce Aspergillus Flavus fungi but because of preservation and use . If washing is not clean, wood chopsticks with wet and hot weather will easily mold, thereby facilitating mold growth. In addition, long-handled wooden chopsticks appear to have hidden cracks containing dirt, long-term water contact will develop into mold. Not only chopsticks, wood products such as knives, chopping boards . have a similar situation.

Wooden chopsticks are widely used but contain many health risks.(Photo: AGCR).

For wood chopsticks not to mold, Dr. Sun recommends the following:

1. Chopsticks must be thoroughly washed.
2. Regularly dry chopsticks in the sun.
3. Use a disinfection cabinet to clean the chopsticks (if possible).
4. Replace all new chopsticks after 4 months of use.

Paint brush

Because of the eye-catching variety of colors and patterns, chopsticks are loved by many people. However, the paint on the chopstick surface may contain heavy metals and toxic additives. In the long term, this paint easily peels off and enters the body, harming the liver and kidneys.

Ideally, you should not use paint sticks at high temperatures. Note to leave immediately if you see the paint peeling off.

Disposable bamboo chopsticks

Disposable bamboo chopsticks are often accompanied by takeaway food.(Photo: 11street.my).

During processing, disposable bamboo chopsticks are often added with whitening powder, thus leaving chemicals on the chopsticks surface. Powder whitening into the body will cause damage to the liver and viscera, even leading to gallstones.

Metal chopsticks

People who like Korean food are no stranger to metal chopsticks. In terms of hygiene, metal chopsticks are considered to be better than wooden chopsticks and bamboo chopsticks made of stainless metal, making it difficult to appear pathogens.

However, metal chopsticks are heavy and difficult to hold, making it difficult for users to pick up food.