Recent research has Found Plastic worth a whole plastic spoon in human brains. Pretty wild, right? It is estimated that people consume between them 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles Every year. If we add how much we enter through inhalation, that number reaches 74,000 to 121,000.
Microplastic is everywhere. They are in our water, our clothes and our kitchens. Experts also found them in the food we eat. Well, that sounds bad but How It's bad?
“There is no officially established” safe “or” unsafe “level of microplastic intake. It makes sense to want your exposure to be as low as possible ”, Dr Josephoseph Merklsaid an osteopathic doctor authorized Board of Family Medicine, in email.
Microplastics can enter our food for pollution from where it is grown, grown or processed. Mercolas explained that plastic mulch in commercial agriculture, plastic seed coatings and contaminated water are also ways in which microplastics can end up in food. Add plastic packaging, accessories and containers and eat a decent amount of microplasty.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, electricity The evidence does not suggest That the level of microplastics in food is a risk for us. That said, you may still want to make a few light exchanges to minimize the microplastics you consume. These are some of the most common foods you will find microplasty.
Top 10 groceries in your diet that have microplasty
Seafood
One of the most significant ways in which microplastic ends in our food is through excess plastic with one use that breaks down and finds its way into aquatic roads and soil. When they reach the oceans, they end up in our seafood.
“Microplastics then take plankton and make mistakes with fish and selfish food. Small particles accumulate in the meat, which then end up on our plates, “Mercola said.
A recent study published by Portland State University found a variety of microplasty in 180 of 182 seafood tested Samples. Microfibers are the most common type of microplastic gift, but this is not the only species that ends in our oceans.
Tea handbags
Polypropylene, synthetic plastic, often used Make tea bags. Even if you deliberately grab your paper tea bags, there are still microplastics. The question is that when you dip the tea bags in warm water, there is potential that tea bags can release microplastics in your tea.
A study by researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona found that it was not only a small amount of microplasty. Polypropylene tea bags can free particles in billions, And nylon and cellulose tea bags release particles into millions.
How to avoid that: You don't have to stop drinking tea. Transfer to loose leaves and invest in A. Stainless steel diffuser To enjoy your microplasty tea.
Rice
Rice is also a microplasty hotspot. A study at the University of Queensland found that for every half cup of rice, there is Three to four milligrams of plastic. If you use instant rice packs, that number is four times higher, at 13 milligrams.
How to avoid: The study revealed that Washing the rice It can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40%, although it is worth noting that the study used filtered rinsing water.
Salt and sugar
Unfortunately, when you collect the dinner by sprinkling salt, you get the unintentional side of the microplasty. It is difficult to overcome salt. It is almost in everything we eat, and our bodies need a certain level of sodium to keep our fluids and electrolytes balanced.
Unfortunately, 90% of 39 samples of salt brands The world contains microplastics. This is probably the result of environmental pollution and the production and packaging process, which includes plastic. Microplastics have also been Found in sugar.
How to avoid: To minimize microplasty exposure in your salt and sugar, you can buy them packed in glass or cardboard.
Bottled water
Bottle water is one of the most famous sources of micro and nanoplasty. A study estimates that around 240,000 plastic particles In a liter of bottled water, equivalent to two standard water bottles. Most plastic water bottles you buy in the store are made of polyethylene tereftalate plastic (five), so it was not surprising to see it was presented. Plastic particles decompose when the bottle is drained or exposed to heat.
Pet plastic was not the only type of nanoplasty found in plastic water bottles. Researchers were looking for Seven plastic typesIncluding polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polyamide, a kind of nylon. However, the seven types participated with only 10% of nanopartic particles.
How to avoid that: Drinking tap water from stainless steel or glass glass or container can reduce the risk of plastic particles.
Sweetheart
Maybe you don't expect your own Honey jar To have microplastics, but it does, even if it is in a glass jar. Microplastic fibers can be monitored on bees. A study that investigated whether the microplastics introduced or carried by bees then was included in the nettle found that bees could continue with Microplasty scattering Through honey.
How to avoid that: Buying honey from local beekeepers that often use more natural and sustainable harvesting methods can reduce the risks of microplastic contamination.
Fruits or vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are some of the most essential parts of a balanced diet. Unfortunately, they can also contain microplastic contamination levels. One study that took the sample fruits and vegetables I discovered that Apples were the most Polluted fruit, while carrots were the most polluted vegetables. But how is this happening?
“It has been shown that plants are introduced by micro- and soil nanoplastics through their root systems, thereby polluting the eating parts,” Mercola said.
Not to mention, many grocery stores pack fruits and vegetables in plastic to keep them fresh. According to the FDA, no Sufficient evidence To say that microplastics of plastic food packaging migrates into food. However, Merkola suggests you avoid it as much as you can.
How to avoid that: Wash the fruit thoroughly, peel when possible and decide on local or organic production.
Protein
A recent study by researchers in Ocean preservatives found that 88% of vegetables and animal protein have a certain level of microplasty. However, highly processed proteins as plant -based alternatives, fish sticks or chicken lumps have the most microplasty, indicating microplastic contamination partly comes from Food processing. The study found that bread shrimp have an average of 300 microplastic pieces per serving. The nuggets had 100 pieces per serving.
However, food processing is not the only way microplastic can enter these sources of protein. Microplastics is in feed and the surroundings where they are grown. Alternatives based on plants can be contaminated through soil or irrigation.
How to avoid that: After reading this, you probably wonder what protein you should eat. The reality is that more research is needed to know the exact levels and their impact on our health. Our bodies need protein to function, so getting it is important enough, regardless of the source you get.
Read more: Easy Visual Protein Guide to help you achieve maximum muscle benefits
What does microplastics in food mean to you?
Until now, you are probably wondering if all food contains microplastics. Although I can't say for sure, I can say that more research is needed to understand how eating microplasty food affects us. Long -term health effects are still under investigation, although, as Mercko explained, it is something to see and act if you can.
“It has been discovered that microplasty ingested is accumulated in the circulatory system and various organs, including the brain, where they can cause inflammation and damage to the tissues,” Merka said.
Other potential side effects are hormonal imbalances caused by Chemicals that disrupt endocrine Found in plastic. Microplastics can also absorb others Environmental toxins and introduce them into the body.
Has not established a safe level of microplastics and we cannot reasonably exceed them; They are everywhere and in everything. However, the idea is good to minimize exposure where you can.
Expert tips on reducing your microplastic intake:
- Watch the shell in the shell: Shells like shells, oysters and shells have higher levels of microplastics. Until I say you need to reduce them completely, something is moderate if you are trying to be microplastic exposure.
- Avoid plastic containers for food storage: One of the biggest proposals of Merka is to avoid plastic food containers for “plastic chemicals” in plastic. BPA and phthalates are chemicals that disrupt endocrine that can transmit from plastic to food. They are fat soluble, so it happens the easiest with fatty foods. It is best to store fat foods in glass containers, although if you need to store dry food in plastic.
- Avoid food wrapped in plastic: As much as possible, avoiding food wrapped in plastic is best. This can be easier than done, especially since fresh food can be more expensive than frozen, processed alternatives. Although something you need to strive for, you can make the switch.
- Get rid of plastic kitchen utensils: From the spoons we use to stir the sauces to the cutting boards we use to chop the vegetables, if they are plastic, you insert microplastics. A good rule of thumb is all that is plastic that comes into contact with your food should be replaced for ceramics, glass, wood or stainless steel.
- Install a filter in your washing machine: If you can afford it, pay it forward by installing a special filter on your washing machine that will capture the microfibers before they do so on our sewer systems that are often used as fertilizer or dropped into water. The Microfiber Filter from Planet 2.0 It starts at $ 125.
We still have a lot to learn about microplastics and their long -term implications for our health as we enter them. It may be difficult to hear that they are in so many of our food, although it should not turn you away to eat well.
Eating a A balanced diet The protein, fruits and vegetables will provide your body to have enough fuel to function and progress – Microplastics or not.