The human brain contains roughly a spoonful of microplastics and nano-plastic, with levels three to five times higher in people with dementia. As concerns develop on the microplastic link with diseases such as dementia, cancer and heart disease, researchers suggest that a simple change in alcohol consumption habits could reduce microplastic intake up to 90%.
Microplastics are present everywhere, from the food we eat, to the water we drink and to the air that we breathe. “Given the general presence of microplastics in the environment, completely eliminating exposure is not realistic. A more practical approach is to reduce the most important sources of microplastic contribution,” wrote researchers in a recent scientific article published in the Genomic press.
The researchers found that the filtered water switch from tap from bottled water can reduce the consumption of microplastics from 90,000 to 4,000 particles each year, making it a “impactful intervention”. It is estimated that Americans consumes Last year, around 16.2 billion gallons of bottled water, an increase of 2% compared to 2023.
“However, although the reduction in the contribution is a logical approach, it is not clear if this results in a measurable reduction in microplastic accumulation in human tissues. Beyond bottled water, significant food sources of microplastics are alcohol and seafood,” the researchers wrote.
In addition to disconcerting plastic bottles, the scientific newspaper highlights several practical strategies to reduce microplastic exposure in our daily life. He suggests avoiding the common habit of heating food in plastic containers, which can release up to 4.22 million microplastic particles per square centimeter. Reducing the use of tea bags, which often contain microplastics, and the abandonment of storing food in plastic containers are also recommended.
The document also highlights the importance of opting for whole foods on canned or ultra-suitable options. For example, studies have shown that processed foods and chicken chips contain up to 30 times more microplastics per gram from fresh chicken breasts.
Studies show that humans breathe up to 62,000 microplastic particles each year. Since inhalation is a major source of microplastic exposure, the researchers suggest the use of high -efficiency (HEPA) air filters because they can eliminate up to 99.97% of the suspended particles in the air as small as 0.3 microns.
The researchers noted that age does not influence the amount of microplastic accumulates in the body. This is an observation of hope because it suggests that, despite continuous exposure to microplastics in the environment, the body can naturally eliminate them by perspiration, urination and stool over time.
(Tagstotranslate) Microplastic (T) Exposure to plastics (T) Microplastic intake (T) Bottle water (T) Tap water (T) Plastic bottle (T) Plastic containers (T) Plastic foods (T) Food Storage (T)