Unfortunately, microplastics, which are small plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in length, make up a large part of food and beverage products.
Water bottles, sea food, salt and table, fruit and vegetable such as carrots and apples, and beer have all been identified. Humans consume microplastics primarily through the food and drink they consume.
In the past, they have been associated with nausea and vomiting, as well as abdominal pain. Some studies have even connected them with the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
New research explores how microplastics may also affect the gastrointestinal tract.
Can microplastics harm gut health?
At the moment, gut health is one the biggest trends in the food industry. Gut health is promoted by a wide variety of products. A growing body of evidence suggests that managing your gut can have a positive impact on many aspects of health.
Microplastics can alter gut health. The review states that when microplastics build up in the digestive tract, where they remain due to their high resistance to digestion, this can cause dysbiosis. This is an imbalance of beneficial bacteria and pathogenic (harmful) bacteria.
The imbalance is linked to many health problems, such as weakened immunity and impaired gut functions, which can increase the risk of digestive disorders.
This condition is often referred to as “leaky stomach” due to gut dysbiosis. It can cause pathogens to leak into the bloodstream, which could lead to autoimmunity. This is exacerbated by microplastics, which cause microabrasions on the gut lining. These plastics may contain chemicals, such as heavy-metals and persistent organic pollutants.
The gut-heart and gut-kidney axis are important for heart and kidney health.
Microplastics may also cause systemic inflammation. This can then lead to cardiovascular, autoimmune, diabetes and obesity. Inflammatory responses can disrupt insulin signalling pathways.
Even microplastics can cause neurological disorders and psychological problems. It can cause anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. According to a review, dysbiosis may lead to reduced production of short-chain fat acids that are vital to brain health.
According to this review, the microbiome also plays a central role in the regulation of energy and nutrients. Microplastics can therefore lead to an imbalanced energy expenditure and storage.
What can policymakers do?
Researchers suggest that governments and industries must work together to fight the risks posed by microplastics.
They must, for example, regulate plastic production more efficiently, improve waste disposal, and develop biodegradable alternatives to plastic, such as wood.
Water must be purified and the air quality improved. Microplastics in air, food and water should be measured.
