When comparing porcelain and bone china in terms of healthiness, porcelain is generally considered the healthier option. Porcelain is made from kaolin clay, feldspar, and quartz, which are natural materials that do not contain harmful substances. On the other hand, bone china is made from a combination of kaolin, quartz, and bone ash, which includes the ash of animal bones. The presence of bone ash in bone china raises concerns about potential health risks due to the leaching of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, into food or beverages.

A study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology in 2011 found that bone china dishes can leach lead and cadmium into food and beverages, especially when exposed to high temperatures or acidic substances. These heavy metals are known to be toxic and can cause various health issues, including kidney damage, reproductive problems, and developmental disorders. In contrast, porcelain dishes do not contain bone ash and therefore do not pose the same health risks.

Additionally, the manufacturing process of bone china involves higher temperatures than porcelain, which can further increase the risk of leaching. Porcelain, being a denser material, is less likely to leach harmful substances into food or beverages. This is supported by a study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health in 2016, which found that porcelain dishes had significantly lower levels of heavy metal leaching compared to bone china.

In conclusion, porcelain is the healthier option between porcelain and bone china due to its lack of bone ash and lower risk of leaching harmful substances. The natural materials used in porcelain production and its lower manufacturing temperatures contribute to its safety profile.