What are Microplastics? Microplastics are fragments of plastics smaller than 5mm long. They are produced when plastic items degrade or are added to products on purpose, like microbeads in body scrubs.
These tiny particles can come from furniture, clothing or food packaging, they are so small that we can ingest or inhale them without knowing. And research has shown that microplastics are now inside our bodies.
Are they harmful?
Scientists do have some evidence that microplastics could make us sick. Research has found that patients with microplastics in their tissue were twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke or to die within three years. Many of the chemicals in plastics can cause cancer, disrupt hormones or reduce fertility.
Consumer Reports has tested various foods for the past 25 years to see how much of these chemicals we consume. It turns out bisphenol and phthalates are widespread in foods. Phtalates were found in almost every tested food and in high amounts.
What can you do to reduce the amount of microplastics in your food?
Microplastics are so pervasive that it’s difficult to eliminate them from your diet completely, but you can do a few things to reduce your exposure. And as an added bonus, many of the tips that keep you from eating plastic are better for you anyway and better for the environment.
Seven Tips to Eat Less Microplastic:
- Avoid fast food and highly processed foods. Instead eat more fresh and minimally processed foods. The more processed or packaged the food the greater the likelihood it came in contact with and contains microplastics.
- Avoid fatty foods, many chemicals are fat soluble, so they like to hang out there.
- Avoid Plastic Food Containers and instead use glass, wood, foil, or silicone. And especially don’t reuse single use plastics for food or drink.
- Don’t drink water from plastic bottles drink tap water instead. One study found double the level of microplastics in plastic water bottles compared to tap water. And use glass or stainless steel bottles.
- Avoid plastic tools in the kitchen and replace them with wood, silicone and stainless steel.
- If you use plastic straws replace them with stainless steel.
- Avoid microwaving and heating food or water in plastic. Plastic breaks down in the heat and can leach into the food and the water.