Beware of Ingesting These Products That Contain Microplastics: They May be Dangerous to Your Health

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Many everyday food products have been found to contain microplastics, often due to environmental contamination or food processing and packaging. Here are some common sources of microplastics that can impact your diet and fitness:

1. Drinking water:

• Bottled water has been shown to contain high levels of microplastics.
• Tap water also contains microplastics, though generally at lower levels than bottled water.

2. Seafood:

• Fish and shellfish are significant sources of dietary microplastics due to ocean pollution.
• An average person may consume about 53,864 microplastic particles annually from seafood.

3. Fruits and vegetables:

• Plants can absorb microplastics through their roots.
• Apples and carrots are among the most contaminated, with over 100,000 microplastics per gram.

4. Salt:

• Most table salt brands contain microplastics.
• An average adult may consume around 2,000 microplastic particles per year from salt alone.

5. Beer:

• Contains about 28 microplastic particles per liter, more than soda or energy drinks.

6. Tea:

• Plastic tea bags can release billions of micro- and nanoplastic particles into a single cup.

7. Processed foods:

• Highly processed products like chicken nuggets, plant-based burgers, and tofu tend to have higher levels of microplastics.

8. Packaged foods:

• Foods stored in plastic packaging are likely to contain microplastics.

9. Rice and honey:

• These common staples have also been found to contain microplastics.

The sources of microplastics in food are varied:

• Environmental pollution (air, water, soil)
• Food processing equipment and machinery
• Plastic packaging
• Agricultural practices (e.g., use of sewage sludge as fertilizer)

Insiders Health Tip

To reduce microplastic intake, experts recommend:

• Choosing fresh, unprocessed healthy foods to eat when possible
• Avoiding plastic packaging where feasible
• Using glass or stainless steel containers
• Filtering drinking water
• Opting for loose-leaf tea instead of bagged tea

While it’s challenging to completely avoid microplastics in food, being aware of their sources and making informed choices can help reduce exposure. For more tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying informed about food safety, check out healthy lifestyle blogs that focus on reducing environmental toxins and promoting wellness.

References:

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/microplastics-food

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/22/health/plastics-food-wellness-scn/index.html

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/22/health/plastics-food-wellness-scn/index.html

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/03/new-study-links-microplastics-serious-health-harms-humans

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