Some studies suggest the compound could also be linked to infertility, heart attacks and even cancer
Teabags, chicken nuggets, alcohol and seafood could be posing an unexpected health risk. Not due to their nutritional content, but because of the microplastics they contain.
A recent study published in the Brain Medicine journal has shed light on the lesser-known ways that microplastics and nano-plastics enter our bodies through our diet. These compounds have been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart attacks, dementia and infertility.
The researchers acknowledged that completely eliminating microplastics from our lives is “an unattainable endpoint”. However, they suggested some small changes that could reduce our intake.
They explained that plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea. Opting for tea brands with non-plastic bags or loose leaf tea with metal or stainless steel infusers could be a healthier choice for your daily cuppa. Similarly, plastic food storage containers can leach these particles into your food, especially when used in the microwave or oven.
The experts recommended using metal or glass containers for cooking and storage instead. One of the most significant changes they suggested was switching from bottled water to tap water, which could reduce your microplastic intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year.
Avoiding certain foods that are notorious for containing high levels of microplastics, such as alcoholic beverages, seafood, and chicken nuggets. Notably, chicken nuggets were found to have 30 times more microplastics per gram than fresh chicken breasts, highlighting the impact of ultra-processing.
The research isn’t all pessimistic though; it also uncovered “one of the most hopeful aspects” in regard to our constant interaction with microplastics. The findings suggest that our bodies might be equipped to eliminate these particles via natural routes like sweating, urination, and defecation.
This raises the possibility that reducing our intake of microplastics over time could eventually purge them from our system. While further research is essential to confirm precise data on this process, one previous study has shown promise. In fish, it took approximately 70 days to expel 75% of the microplastics accumulated in their brains.