Does PFAS Exposure in Infants Disrupt Appetite Hormones?
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/4/2026
The Hidden Link to Eating Behavior
A 2026 study published in Clinical Nutrition found that PFAS exposure in infants disrupts appetite hormones and eating behavior during the first 2 years of life. Researchers analyzed 371 infants and discovered that higher plasma levels of these persistent chemicals were inversely associated with food approach behaviors. Essentially, the more PFAS in an infant's system, the more likely they were to show signs of slowness in eating and reduced food responsiveness. Read the full study here.
Why This Matters for Development
PFAS are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This study shows they interfere with hormones like leptin and insulin, which are critical for metabolic health. While the study confirms that breastfeeding remains the healthiest choice for metabolic development, it highlights that PFAS exposure creates a separate, concerning pathway that alters how children interact with food.
Taking Control of Your Home
You cannot control every environmental factor, but you can audit your home to reduce the chemical load on your child. Start by removing nonstick cookware, plastic food storage, and synthetic textiles that frequently harbor these compounds. Swapping to stainless steel, glass, and organic materials is a tangible way to limit exposure during those critical first 1000 days. You can start building a safer environment today by browsing our non-toxic baby alternatives to replace common plastic gear.
Also see glass food storage for safer alternatives.