Can BPA from food packaging damage the mitochondria in your gut cells?

What's actually in it

Bisphenol A (BPA) is still used in the lining of canned foods, some plastic containers, and food processing equipment. When food touches these surfaces, BPA transfers into what you eat. Your intestinal cells are the first point of contact after you swallow BPA-contaminated food.

Mitochondria are the energy factories inside every cell. When they're damaged, cells can't function properly, which leads to inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, and eventually cell death.

What the research says

A 2025 study in Toxicology exposed human intestinal cells to BPA at concentrations that match what people actually encounter through food. The researchers measured multiple markers of mitochondrial health to see what BPA does at the cellular level.

BPA caused mitochondrial dysfunction in the intestinal cells. The mitochondria lost their membrane potential (the electrical charge that drives energy production), produced less ATP (cellular fuel), and generated more reactive oxygen species, which are damaging free radicals.

The damage was dose-dependent: more BPA meant worse mitochondrial function. But even at the lower doses tested, which match real-world dietary exposure, the researchers saw measurable effects on cell health.

Reduce BPA exposure by choosing fresh food over canned, using glass containers for food storage, and avoiding heating food in plastic. These steps protect your gut lining from chronic low-dose BPA exposure.