Can you detoxify microplastics? Here is what science says

Humans ingest, on average, around 50 plastic bags of microplastics each year, according to research.

Although there are ways to reduce the amount of microplastics you are ingesting or ingesting, it is practically impossible to avoid them completely. So, because our body will contain at least a few microplastics, is there something we can do about it?

Researchers are just start to understand How microplastics (and even smaller nanoplastics) affect our body and how to get rid of it. But there is Some evidence than antioxidants, healthy food and other methods of Reduction in inflammation could minimize damage Microplastics have on our body.

“In any field of environmental health sciences, you very rarely have a firearm,” said Matthew Campen, PHD, MSPH, director of New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine and professor at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. Like asbestos and cigarette smoke, he said Health“It will take a long time before having defined answers.”

However, animal and human studies have found Correlations between the negative effects on health and microplastics. And these tiny particles were found in Almost all parts of the human body.

Microplastics cause problems because the The plastic particles themselves can enter the tissues, But also because they can Port chemicals.

A report published last year revealed that at least 4,200 of the 16,000 chemicals used to make plastic are considered concerning human health and the environment.

“Plastic chemicals – phthalates and BPA – We know these are measured in people,” said at the University of California, with the PHD, professor and director of the program on genesic and environmental health at the University of California Health.

For this reason, the effect of microplastics on the body probably depends on:

• The individual person and their health history
• The size of plastic particles
• The type of plastic
• The quantity in a person’s body

“”The dose makes the poison– Anything in a sufficiently high dose can be toxic, “said Campen.

Inflammation is the natural response of the body to stress, tissue lesions and pathogens – and, as some studies suggest, possibly microplastics.

But excessive inflammation can become a problem – it was linked to more than 100 diseasesIncluding Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, Iman Zarei, PHD, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition of the University of Finland, said Health.

It is difficult to say if inflammation is the reason why microplastics have been linked to chronic diseasesBut it may be able to play a role.

A study in 2024 revealed that people who had more microplastics or nanoplastics in the plate in their neck arteries had a Risk of heart attack or stroke of almost five times higher. It is not completely clear why, but experts have concluded that excessive inflammation may have been a factor.

Intestinal health is also a concern. In 2022, the researchers examined a model of the human intestinal microbiome and found that Exposure to a common type of plastic Used in the packaging of food and drinks could affect healthy digestion And cause the growth of pro-inflammatory bacteria.

Researchers have also hypothesized that some chemicals On the surface of microplastics can disturb the hormones And prevent them from correctly regulating sleep, appetite and signaling through the body, said Zarei.

Fortunately, all the plastic parts you meet do not linger forever in the body.

Humans largely ingest microplastics by eating and drinking, and many particles – especially the largest, like those of plastic cutting boards – ” Just go through your colon“Said Campen.” There are certainly reasons to believe that many things will come out through the excrement. »»

Chemicals of microplastics “do not remain very long in the body, therefore If you stop the exhibition, the levels [in] Your body will fallAdded Woodruff.

This is a strong case to reduce exposure to microplastics, although Woodruff noted that the omnipresence of plastic makes this difficult – the chemicals that leave our blood Quickly replaced.

In addition, other smaller particles cannot be ejected from the body. Researchers have discovered that nanoparticles are sometimes absorbed by cells and can develop protein shells that allow them to easily move around the body.

Since avoiding microplastics is easier to say than to do, researchers are looking for means of minimize their effects on the body.

For the moment, “We can’t really name something and say:” It’s a remedy for microplastics “” said Zarei. However, some food changes could potentially be promising.

Antioxidants could help

Zarei and a team of other researchers published a study in February suggesting that antioxidants could be able to reduce the effects of microplastics by reducing inflammation.

More specifically, they found that a plant compound called anthocyanine—Taturally found in purple and blue foods like berries or grapes – may be able to counter testosterone reductions and fertility.

Although research is mixed, anthocyanine has also been linked to better regulation of blood sugar, heart benefits and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Eat healthy

Although this is not a perfect solution, experts have agreed that it is probably easier for your body to deal with the potential effects of exposure to microplastics when it is healthy.

It means doing your best to Maintain a healthy weight And avoid obesity, which is linked to a multitude of chronic diseases.

Your eating habits Help “Build your resistance to all kinds of assaults on your body”, including microplastics, Said Woodruff. She recommended eating a diet rich in:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Unprocessed meat
• Beans and fish

Diets full of vegetables, nuts and whole grains also have more fibers, who is Good for the intestinal microbiome. In addition, healthy food plans such as Mediterranean regime have been linked to lower -type 2 diabetes levels, to healthy hormone levels and lower inflammation.

“We see science on other contaminants such as lead than if you have a balanced nutrition diet, it can help reduce certain damage“Said Woodruff.