Studies of nail polish softeners cause overweight

Nail polish with effects on body weight?
Whether inconspicuously transparent, delicately light rosé or bright red: Many women love nail polish and thus beautify their fingernails and toenails regularly. But when choosing the paint should be paid close attention to the quality, because some products contain resins, for example, through which it can lead to allergies. Besides that, there seems to be another downside: Because, as American researchers have found, many paints could increase the risk of weight gain.
Triphenyl phosphate disrupts the hormone balance
Dick by nail polish? What sounds bizarre at first might actually be true. Because in a large part of nail polishes is apparently the substance triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). This is a so-called "endocrine disruptor" which, among other things, affects the balance of the hormonal system and fat storage, thereby favoring an increase in weight.

Certain ingredients in nail polish increase the risk of being overweight. (Image: ivanmateev / fotolia.com)

A research team from Duke University and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has now come to this conclusion by examining a total of 3,000 nail polish bottles. As reported by the EEC, scientists have been able to detect TPHP in more than 1,500 products, which used to be commonly used in the manufacture of plastic and as a fire retardant for foam furniture. Today, the nail polish chemical is likely to act as a plasticizer to increase flexibility and durability, the report said. An important aspect of this cosmetic product, because the paint should of course hold as long as possible and not immediately peel off the next day and show cracks.

Chemical can enter the bloodstream through the nails
But now urine tests have shown that the ingredient can apparently enter the blood through the nails and thereby promote weight gain. The TPHP also influences the metabolism and can thereby disrupt the breakdown of fat and calories.

"It is very worrying that nail polish marketed to teenage women and girls contains a questionable endocrine disruptor," said study chief EEC scientist and co-author, Johanna Congleton. "And it is even more disturbing to learn that their bodies absorb this chemical relatively quickly after applying a coat of varnish," Congleton continued.

Consumers can check their paint in special database
In response to the study, the EEC has already launched a petition calling on manufacturers of popular nail polish brands to refrain from using TPHP. In order to check whether the own nail polish is affected, the researchers also created a special database. Furthermore, according to the EEC, a small guide could be that the colored paints often contain less or no TPHP than the transparent ones. (No)