Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters long, are widespread in food and beverages like water, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and beer, making ingestion through food and inhalation a significant human exposure route. They can negatively affect health, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
A recent review highlights their impact on gut health. Microplastics can accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, causing dysbiosis—an imbalance of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria—leading to weakened immunity, gut disorders, inflammation, and conditions like “leaky gut.” This can allow harmful pathogens to enter circulation, potentially triggering autoimmune diseases. Microplastics also carry harmful chemicals like heavy metals and pollutants, further damaging the gut lining.
The disruptions extend to the gut-heart, gut-kidney, and gut-brain axes, contributing to systemic inflammation, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. They may reduce the production of short-chain fatty acids crucial for brain health and disrupt energy metabolism.
To mitigate these dangers, the review recommends collaboration between governments and industries to regulate plastic production, improve waste management, and develop biodegradable alternatives.
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