Kerri Waldron
New research highlights how small changes to diet and lifestyle could help protect brain health by reducing exposure to microplastics – tiny plastic particles that have been linked to inflammation and cognitive decline.
Microplastics (MNPs) are everywhere – in food, water and even the air we breathe.
Studies estimate that 10–40 million tons of microplastics are released into the environment every year, where they contaminate our food supply.
Processed foods, bottled water, canned goods and even tea bags have all been found to contain microplastics.
Once inside the body, these plastic particles can travel through the bloodstream and accumulate in vital organs.
Research has linked microplastics to inflammation, oxidative stress and disruptions in metabolism, with potential effects on the cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems.
Microplastic and brain health link
A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that people with dementia had three to five times more microplastic accumulation in their brains than those without the condition.
Brain tissue appears to be especially vulnerable to microplastics, accumulating them at a much higher rate than other organs like the liver or kidneys.
It is unclear whether dementia weakens the brain’s natural defenses, allowing more microplastics to enter, or if microplastics themselves contribute to cognitive decline.
Further research is needed, but early findings suggest that reducing exposure to microplastics may help protect long-term brain health.
Which foods contain the most microplastics?
Certain foods are known to contain high levels of microplastics, including:
- Bottled water: Switching to tap water could reduce exposure from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year.
- Processed foods: Chicken nuggets, for example, contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than fresh chicken breasts.
- Seafood and alcohol: These can also be significant sources of microplastic contamination.
- Canned foods: Eating canned products daily can cause a 1,000% rise in bisphenol A (BPA) levels in urine, a chemical associated with plastic exposure.
How can I reduce my microplastic expsure?
While microplastics are impossible to avoid entirely, there are simple steps you can take to reduce how much enters your body:
- Drink tap water instead of bottled water to significantly cut down plastic ingestion.
- Avoid processed and canned foods where possible, opting for fresh, whole foods instead.
- Use loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags, which can release billions of plastic particles into your drink.
- Store food in glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic ones.
- Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, as heat can release billions of microplastic particles into your meal.
Can I remove microplastics from my body?
Research suggests that the body has ways to eliminate microplastics over time.
Studies have found that plastic-related chemicals like BPA can be excreted through sweat, urine and faeces.
However, more research is needed to understand how effectively the body can clear microplastics and whether certain lifestyle choices, like regular exercise or sauna use, could help speed up the process.
Microplastic exposure is a growing public health concern, and its impact on human health is still being studied.
While we cannot completely avoid microplastics, making small, practical changes to diet and lifestyle may help lower exposure and protect long-term health.
Source: bing.com
