Jakarta –
We need to be aware of microplastic contamination in everyday food. Some commonly consumed foods contain high amounts of microplastics.
Some foods are known to contain microplastics. That way, consuming it is the same as swallowing small pieces of plastic.
Microplastics themselves are very small plastic particles and can pollute the environment and endanger health.
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Microplastics can enter the body through the respiratory tract and from food and drinks consumed daily. Microplastics can also enter the body through the skin.
Although a number of studies have proven the presence of microplastics in food, it is not known for certain what impact they have on health.
Quoting Healthline, so far there is little research studying how microplastics affect health.
A study tried to study the impact of microplastics on laboratory mice. As a result, microplastics accumulated in the liver, kidneys and intestines of mice. Microplastics have also been found to increase levels of oxidative stress molecules in the liver.
Apart from that, in the same research, microplastics also increased levels of molecules that are toxic to the brain.
Food contains microplastics
A study in 2024 found that 90 percent of animal and vegetable protein samples tested positive for microplastics.
Here are some foods that contain microplastics, which have been found by a number of studies, citing CNN:
1. Salt
 5 Facts about the Dark Side of Salt that Makes Food Delicious Photo: Getty Images/simarik |
A study in 2023 found that coarse Himalayan salt mined from the ground had high levels of microplastics. Followed later by black salt and sea salt.
2. Sugar
A 2022 study found that sugar is an important route of human exposure to microplastics.
3. Tea
Most tea bags are made from plastic which can release microplastic compounds. Researchers from McGill University in Quebec, Canada found that brewing one tea bag can release around 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into the water.
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