There has been a lot of information about microplastics emerging recently, and both environmental campaigners and health professionals are concerned. But what are microplastics and are they really in your body? How worried should you be and how can you rid yourself of them?

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are simply very small pieces of plastic, typically defined as those less than 5 mm long. They usually come from the breakdown of plastic-based consumer products or as a byproduct of plastic manufacturing processes. There are also microbeads, which are tiny manufactured plastic beads added to many health and beauty products. 

Microplastics are tremendously harmful to the environment. Hundreds of species are impacted by them, and their impact on our soil and water are having a long-term negative effect on the global ecosystem. 

How Do Microplastics Get Into the Body and What Are the Risks?

It is not just the environment and wildlife that are harmed by microplastics. They are also in our bodies and can potentially do serious damage. According to the WWF, humans ingest around a credit card’s worth of plastic each week or around 250 g each year. In 2022, microplastics were detected in human lung tissue for the first time.

Plastic does not belong in our bodies and it can have a serious negative impact on health. As your body tries to fight these foreign objects, you may experience symptoms such as fevers and lowered immune functioning. Long-term, many of the chemicals found in microplastics (such as BPA, phthalates, and PFAS) can disrupt hormones and cause complications from infertility to certain cancers.  

5 Ways to Reduce Microplastics in the Body

It is probably impossible to completely eliminate all microplastics from your body. They are all around us. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a “microplastics detox” that really works.

However, it is entirely possible to reduce your exposure to them to lower the risks they pose to your health over time. Here are five ways to do that.

Stay Hydrated (and Skip the Plastic Water Bottles) 

Drinking plenty of water and staying well-hydrated allows your body’s built-in detoxification system–which includes your liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin–to do its job properly. Experts recommend avoiding plastic water bottles wherever possible and using glass or steel receptacles instead. 

The exact amount of water you need varies from person to person. If you are experiencing any signs of dehydration, such as thirst, headaches, dark-colored urine, or fatigue, drink a glass or two of water and see if you feel better. 

Eat a Fiber-Rich Diet

Dietary fiber plays a vital role in keeping your digestive system functioning well. This plays a key role in removing harmful substances from your system, potentially including microplastics. This can help to mitigate the harmful impact of microplastics on the gastrointestinal tract according to research published in Food Frontiers. 

Great sources of dietary fiber include legumes, certain fruits (such as raspberries, blackberries, and passionfruit), many vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. 

Don’t Cook Food in Plastic

Heating up plastic can cause harmful chemicals to be released into your food and into your body. Research has indicated that microwaving may release millions of tiny microplastic particles.Therefore, never cook or microwave your food in plastic if you can avoid it. 

Instead, cook your food in ceramic or glass wherever possible. Avoid using plastic wrap in your microwave, too. 

Don’t stress if you can’t change up your entire kitchen overnight. Instead, replace things with safer alternatives one at a time. 

Pay Attention to Packaging & Storage 

Single use plastic packaging is everywhere, and is probably impossible to completely avoid. It is also harmful to the planet and potentially to our bodies, too. Even the simple act of opening a plastic food package likely releases microplastics. 

Therefore, wherever possible, try not to buy produce or other food items that are packaged in plastic. At home, try not to store your food in plastic containers or using plastic wrap, and avoid plastic plates and utensils. 

Swap Out the Cosmetics You Use 

Cosmetics, bath products and personal care products can be major sources of microplastics in the body. This includes shampoos and shower gels, makeup, creams and lotions, and even toothpaste. Switching out your usual products for plastic-free alternatives will benefit both your health and the environment.