Check your kitchen – benefits say these 10 foods contain most microplastics

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• Microplastics are found in many casual foods such as rice, tea, bottled water and seafood.

• Early studies suggest that microplastics can contribute to health problems such as oxidative stress, organ dysfunction and metabolic or immune disorders, although more studies are needed.

• Experts recommend reducing exposure by selecting tea with free leaves, rinsing rice, avoiding plastic bottles and choosing minimally processed or non -plastic foods.

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Almost everything we eat these days is transported or stored in plastic and we all left residues in the microwave in plastic containers. But you may not understand that microplastics can actually be found inside The foods we eat.

This is not really a new topic. “Studies on the effects of microplastic consumption have been going on for several decades,” says Stephanie Johnson, DCN, RDN, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical and Preventive Food Sciences in Rutgers, New Jersey State University. “However, there is still something to learn about the average levels of human exposure, how long the microplastics remain in the body and the related health effects.

Studies have found microplastics throughout the human body, including in the brain, heart, colon, placenta and others. “We are what we eat and eat and are exposed to plastics in our food,” Nicholas Malos, Vice President of Conservation, Ocean Plastic, Ocean Conservation, and co -author of a recent microplasty study in frequently consumed proteins. “Although we need more research to know what levels of plastics exposure cause problems with human health, we need to worry.”

What are the health effects of microplasty consumption?

The emerging evidence shows that the potential harm may depend on several factors, including the amount consumed, as well as the type, size and shape of the microplastic particles. “At the cellular level, studies show that microplastics can contribute to oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction and interruptions in metabolic, reproductive and immune functions, as well as neuroline toxicity,” says Johnson.

Unfortunately, we still don’t know about the microplastics in food. “Our study demonstrates the need for more current research to make a better understanding of microplastics in the most commonly consumed foods, including where these microplastics come from and the potential risks to human health, “says Malos.

Forward the foods for which the studies have been found contain a measurable amount of microplasty:

Tea

Many commercial tea bags are made with polypropylene, a type of plastic used to seal the bags and maintain their shape. “When they penetrate into hot water, these bags can release microplastics into tea. To avoid potential ingestion of microplastics, the use of free tea with stainless steel leaves or other non-plastic tea infuser is a safer and more sustainable alternative,” says Johnson.

Rice

“Studies have shown that rice may contain relatively high levels of microplastics, probably due to soil and irrigation water,” says Johnson. Rinsing of rice thoroughly before cooking has been found to reduce its microplastic content by approximately 20-40%.

Ultra -processed foods

There is evidence that food processing is a likely source of microplastic contamination. Studies have found that highly -protruded protein products, such as chicken natives, tofu and plant burgers, contain significantly more microplastics per gram than minimally processed products, such as Wild Alaska Pollock and raw chicken breast, Mallos says.

Bottled water

When exposed to heat – for example, to leave in a hot car – or subjected to physical stress, such as squeezing, plastic bottles of water can release microplastics into the water. “Different types of disposable plastic bottles tend to release the highest amounts of microplasty, followed by plastic bottles for reusable,” says Johnson. “In contrast, stainless steel and glass bottles do not break down or leak microplastics, making them more conquered and more sustainable choice for drinking water.”

Salt

Believe it or not, even salt – a naturally occurring mineral – is not safe from microplastics. Studies have found that salt may contain large amounts of microplastics, reflecting a broader problem with environmental pollution. The Himalayan pink salt contains the largest quantities, followed by black salt and sea salt, says Johnson.

Fruits and vegetables

“Due to widespread environmental pollution, fruits and vegetables can contain measurable amounts of microplasty,” says Johnson. Some types of products are more susceptible than others, such as root vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes and beets) as they absorb microplastics from contaminated soil and rainwater through their root systems. But all types of plants can absorb microplasty through their roots.

Darling

Even honey can be contaminated by microplastics, which is also a problem due to widespread environmental pollution, says Johnson.

Plant foods

In the study in co -authorship of Mallos., Microplastic particles were found in tofu, plant -based natives, plant fish sticks and plant essential beef.

Fresh seafood

Microplastics in the ocean accumulate in fish and mussels, in the end affects people who consume seafood containing these particles, says Johnson. Bottom dining species, such as mussels, mussels, oysters, catfish, coat, driving and fever, tend to have higher microplasty concentrations than other marine organisms.

Processed seafood

Processed seafood tariffs are no better. Studies have shown that breaded shrimp, Poland fish sticks, and shrimp also contains microplastics, says Malos.

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