The Chemical That’s Driving America’s Diabetes Crisis
You watch your diet. Stay active. Maybe even track your blood sugar now and then.
But what if there’s something quietly sabotaging your efforts to stay healthy—something invisible, tasteless, and everywhere?
Well, a new study from researchers at Mount Sinai has uncovered a startling link between PFAS, a group of industrial chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” and a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
PFAS aren’t just found in factories. They’re in food packaging, non-stick pans, waterproof coats, stain-resistant furniture, and even your tap water.
And once they’re in your body, they tend to stick around.
According to the study, which was published in eBioMedicine, higher levels of PFAS in the blood were linked to a 31% increase in diabetes risk—even in people who seemed healthy and had not yet been diagnosed with the disease.
Let that sink in. These chemicals could be affecting your metabolism years before symptoms ever appear.
Researchers say PFAS interfere with the body’s natural systems for regulating fat and glucose. That means they can quietly throw off your blood sugar balance—without you realizing it.
Unlike genetic risk, which you can’t change, chemical exposures are actionable. And in the words of study author Dr. Vishal Midya, “PFAS exposures are one of the few potential suspects that can be directly intervened upon.”
So let’s talk about what you can do right now.
Ditch non-stick cookware
Look for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic pans instead of Teflon or PTFE-coated products. These coatings are a major source of PFAS that can leach into your food.
Filter your drinking water
Many municipal systems are contaminated with PFAS. A high-quality water filter certified to remove PFAS (like reverse osmosis systems) can drastically cut your exposure.
Avoid processed, packaged, and fast foods
PFAS are often used in grease-resistant food wrappers and packaging. The fewer boxes and bags in your kitchen, the better. Opt for whole, unpackaged foods when you can.
PFAS have already been linked to cancer, immune disruption, and thyroid issues. Now we know they may also pave the way for one of the most common chronic diseases in America.
This study may be small, but the implications are big. And researchers are already working to replicate the findings in larger groups.
In the meantime, it’s clear that our environment affects our health more than we’ve been told. And when it comes to chronic conditions like diabetes, what you’re exposed to matters just as much as what you eat or how much you move.
We’ll continue keeping you updated on the science and the solutions.
To protecting your body from the inside out,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. The toxic secret that’s lurking in your leftovers…
Sources:
Pelc, C. (2025, July 24). Exposure to PFAS, “forever chemicals”, linked to increased type 2 diabetes risk. Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/exposure-pfas-forever-chemicals-linked-increased-type-2-diabetes-risk#Reducing-exposure-to-PFAS-important
