Can Your Copper Utensils Secretly Make You Sick? A Doctor Breaks Down Risks

Copper toxicity or poisoning can result from exposure to high levels of copper through contaminated food and water. A person can develop copper toxicity if they eat food served on or prepared with corroded copper cookware, dishes, or utensils. In a recently shared video on Instagram, Dr. Poorvi Bhat explains, “While eating from copper utensils is an age-old practice, if you don’t do it properly it can do more harm than good.” Read on to learn about the symptoms of copper poisoning and how to handle your copper utensils properly.

Symptoms Of Copper Poisoning

The following are the signs associated with copper toxicity as shared by Medical News Today:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Blue- or green-coloured stool
• Dark, sticky stool containing blood
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Aching muscles
• Extreme thirst
• Tachycardia or abnormally fast heart rate
• Changes in taste that can lead to decreased appetite or anorexia
• Chronic overuse can lead to kidney and liver failure

It is important to seek immediate medical attention and consult a doctor if you develop any of these symptoms.

How To Correctly Eat From A Copper Utensil

“When a vessel is made of high-quality copper and cleaned properly, the amount of copper ingested from it is lower,” Dr Poorvi Bhat explains. Here are the tips to correctly handle copper utensils:

• Ensure you check the quality of your copperware and clean it well.
• Do not use the utensil if it has any discolouration or changes in colour.
• Do not eat or drink acidic foods like pickles, yogurt, or thick tomato gravies from these.
• Use them occasionally rather than at every meal/drink so your daily copper intake does not exceed the safe limit.

Also Read: 5 Foods You Should Avoid Cooking In Copper Utensils

How To Clean Your Copper Utensils | Steps To Clean Your Copper Utensils

“When the utensil is not cleaned properly, the copper oxidizes forming a thin layer of copper oxide which causes many of the symptoms,” Dr. Poorvi Bhat adds. Here is how to clean your copper utensils:

1. Mix tamarind pods in water until they become tamarind paste.
2. Apply the tamarind paste to the utensil and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
3. Then scrub and rinse with clean water.
4. Follow these instructions to use your copper utensil safely.

Also Read: How to Clean Copper Vessels: 6 Easy Homemade Solutions

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

About Jigyasa KakwaniJigyasa finds her solace through writing, a medium she is exploring to make the world more informed and curious with every story published. She is always up for exploring new cuisines, but her heart comes back to the comforting ghar-ka-khana.