Everyday Choices, Long-Term Health

Written By Corina Seidl

An Evidence-Based Perspective

At SoulCraft Apotheca, we believe wellness is built not only from what we consume, but also from the environments we create. Scientific research confirms that our daily choices, what we eat, wear, breathe, and place on our skin, directly influence long-term health outcomes.

Water as Foundation

Clean water is the first medicine. Activated carbon filters reduce chlorine, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), improving both taste and safety of drinking water (EPA, 2021). By minimizing contaminants, we ease the burden on the body’s detoxification systems and support overall vitality.

Hidden Risks in Fragrance and Cosmetics

Conventional perfumes, shampoos, and cosmetics often contain phthalates, parabens, and synthetic musks, chemicals linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer risk (National Cancer Institute).

  • Early exposure matters: adolescent cosmetic use has been correlated with earlier puberty and higher lifetime breast cancer risk (Harley et al., 2016, Human Reproduction).

  • African-American women, disproportionately targeted by fragranced hair and beauty products, face a significantly elevated risk (Helm et al., 2021, Environmental Research).

Choosing fragrance-free or naturally scented alternatives is more than preference, it’s prevention.

Food as Protection

Cooking at home with whole, unprocessed ingredients has measurable protective effects. Diets rich in leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and antioxidants lower inflammation and support detoxification (World Health Organization, 2020).

  • Matcha green tea provides catechins such as EGCG, shown to reduce oxidative stress and protect DNA from damage (Cabrera et al., 2006, Journal of the American College of Nutrition).

  • Cooking on stainless steel or cast iron reduces exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals” found in non-stick cookware, which have been linked to cancer and reproductive harm (CDC, 2022).

The Fabrics We Wear

Clothing is more than style, it’s daily contact with our skin. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex shed microplastics and can expose us to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (De Falco et al., 2019, Environmental Science & Technology). By contrast, organic cotton, hemp, and linen are breathable, non-toxic, and better for both human and planetary health.

Air Quality at Home

According to the EPA, indoor air can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air (EPA, 2022).

  • Paraffin candles release benzene and toluene, known carcinogens (UH.edu).

  • Incense smoke contains particulate matter associated with respiratory illness (Jetter et al., 2002, Chemosphere).

  • Simple practices, ventilating, dusting, using beeswax candles with cotton wicks, and introducing air-purifying plants, reduce pollutant load and improve respiratory outcomes.

Lifestyle as Medicine

Research is unequivocal:

  • Exercise protects against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer (Warburton & Bredin, 2017, CMAJ).

  • Sleep is essential for immune and cognitive function ([Walker, 2017, Why We Sleep]).

  • Chronic stress elevates cortisol, accelerates aging, and suppresses immunity (Cohen et al., 2012, Nature Reviews Immunology).

  • Reducing alcohol consumption significantly lowers risk of cancer and liver disease (NIH, 2021).

A Balanced Approach

Not every chemical is harmful, and fear is not the goal. Evidence shows that focusing on the major sources of toxic exposure, water, food, cosmetics, fabrics, and air, creates the most meaningful long-term benefits. Children under ten are particularly vulnerable, making early choices especially impactful.

At SoulCraft Apotheca, we see these steps not as restriction, but as empowerment. By aligning our daily lives with evidence and tradition, we create a foundation of resilience—nurturing the possibility of healthier generations to come.

Corina Seidl
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Supporting Science