You could have seen the headlines: “We eat a bank card’s value of plastic each week!” The picture of chopsticks holding a bank card is surprising. “I had no concept that I used to be consuming that a lot plastic! Have I been consuming the wrappers, too?” However is that this actually true? Let’s take a detailed have a look at the place this declare comes from, what the actual science says concerning the well being dangers of microplastics, and what you are able to do to guard your self and your loved ones.
The place Did the “5 Grams of Plastic a Week” Declare Come From?
The concept we eat 5 grams of plastic each week (concerning the weight of a bank card) began with a 2019 report by the World Vast Fund for Nature (WWF) and researchers on the College of Newcastle, Australia. They tried to estimate how a lot microplastic individuals may be consuming, ingesting, and respiration every week. Their highest estimate was 5 grams per week, however this was simply one among a number of guesses primarily based on a mixture of research and assumptions. A LOT of assumptions.
Right here’s the essential half: More moderen, extra cautious analysis exhibits that this quantity is method too excessive—by an element of 1,000,000! (That’s 6 orders of magnitude for you mathematicians on the market.)
OK. 6 orders of magnitude doesn’t make most of you cry in outrage. However how about this: What the analysis actually exhibits is as a substitute of consuming a bank card per week, it’s really a bank card each 24,000 years. However that doesn’t actually get anybody too enthusiastic about the issue, now, does it.
Cautious critiques discovered that the actual quantity of microplastics individuals often eat is way, a lot decrease, nearer to 4 micrograms per week. That’s a tiny fraction of a bank card. The “5 grams” quantity bought widespread as a result of it’s straightforward to image and makes a catchy headline, but it surely doesn’t match what scientists have discovered once they look extra intently.
So, no—you aren’t consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week. The true quantity is way smaller, and the scary meme is predicated on a whopping overestimate.
What Are Microplastics, and The place Do They Come From?
Microplastics are tiny items of plastic, smaller than 5 millimeters throughout. They arrive from issues like broken-down plastic bottles, artificial clothes fibers, and even some private care merchandise. Microplastics are in every single place—in our water, meals, and even the air we breathe.
How Do Microplastics Have an effect on Our Well being?
Despite the fact that we aren’t consuming a bank card’s value of plastic, scientists are nonetheless learning what occurs after we swallow or breathe in microplastics. Right here’s a few of what scientists have uncovered thus far:
1. Endocrine Disruption
Some microplastics carry chemical substances like BPA and phthalates. These are referred to as “endocrine disruptors” as a result of they’ll mess with our hormones. A 2025 research discovered that even adults who ate what was thought-about a “secure” quantity of BPA developed extra insulin resistance in simply 4 days, which may increase the chance of diabetes. A variety of different troubles may be traced again to disrupted hormones as properly, affecting generations not even born but.
2. Irritation
Microplastics could cause irritation within the physique. Power irritation is on the coronary heart of a lot of our persistent illness points. Animal research have proven that when mice had been fed comparatively excessive doses of microplastics, their our bodies reacted with irritation. In a separate research researchers discovered that diabetic mice responded with extra irritation and dyslipidemia and irritation than wholesome mice when uncovered to polystyrene microplastics.
3. Intestine Well being
Our intestine is house to trillions of useful micro organism. If these micro organism get off-balance it causes a whole lot of havoc in our complete physique. Intestine pathology is the foundation of many auto-immune illnesses in addition to inflammatory intestine illnesses, practical dyspepsia, SIBO, and irritable bowel syndrome. These micro organism assist us digest meals and hold us wholesome. A 2021 research discovered that microplastics can upset the steadiness of those intestine micro organism, inflicting “intestine dysbiosis.” When the intestine will get out of steadiness, it may possibly result in issues with digestion and even have an effect on our immune system and metabolism.
Ought to We Be Anxious?
The excellent news is that, primarily based on the most effective science, we aren’t consuming practically as a lot plastic because the headlines declare. However even small quantities of microplastics might have an affect on our well being over time, particularly as a result of they’ll carry dangerous chemical substances and upset our intestine well being.
Since microplastic publicity is within the intestine, it is sensible to eat a fiber-rich food regimen (just like the Hallelujah Weight-reduction plan) to bind up microplastics earlier than they get absorbed. Utilizing binders like activated charcoal and bentonite clay could also be useful. Ingesting a lot of purified water to assist your kidneys. And protecting your intestine well being in tip prime form with probiotics, prebiotic fiber (like onions, chicory root, and konjac mannan (glucomannan) wouldn’t damage both.
Sensible Steps to Scale back Plastic Publicity in Your Home
The kitchen is one place the place plastics get used so much along side the meals we eat and drinks we drink. So, it is sensible to start out proper within the kitchen. Listed here are 9 sensible steps you may take right this moment:
Keep away from Bottled Water
That is the only largest factor you are able to do. Research present that bottled water comprises far more microplastic than faucet water. So, if you wish to lower down on microplastics, cease shopping for bottled water.
Use a Water Filter
If you’re anxious about your faucet water, use an excellent water filter at house. Berkey water filters are glorious. Reverse osmosis water is ok if you happen to remineralize it after purification after which change the filters on schedule. Distilled water can be glorious, if you happen to remineralize it earlier than ingesting.
Swap Plastic Containers for Glass or Stainless Metal
Exchange plastic Rubbermaid andTupperware with glass jars (like Mason jars) or chrome steel containers. They’re secure, sturdy, and don’t leach microplastics. Tip: Reuse glass jars from sauces to retailer leftovers or bulk grains.
Ditch Plastic Wrap and Luggage
Use beeswax wraps or reusable silicone baggage as a substitute of cling wrap or Ziploc baggage. Material produce baggage are excellent for procuring. (By no means heard of beeswax wraps? Me neither, however right here is an article that compares a number of manufacturers.)
Select Non-Plastic Kitchen Instruments
Go for wood reducing boards and bamboo utensils (until it’s important to fear about gluten contamination). Nylon or silicone utensils may be extra steady than different plastics. Tip: Seal wood boards with food-grade mineral oil for hygiene.
Eradicate Non-Stick Pans. Use Stainless Metal and Forged iron cookware.
PFOA and PFOAS perpetually chemical substances come from teflon surfaces. Ceramic non-stick is a wholesome possibility as properly. Tip: Forged iron cookware can final generations. Oil and lecithin remedy makes forged iron nearly non-stick, not less than quickly.
Keep away from Microwaving Plastics (if you happen to use a microwave)
Warmth meals in glass or ceramic dishes, coated with a plate or paper towel. Tip: Reheat on the stovetop in forged iron for higher taste and security.
Purchase Recent, Unpackaged Meals
Store at farmers’ markets or bulk shops for unpackaged produce and grains. Bulk grains and beans are available paper baggage. Tip: Deal with uncooked, natural fruit and veggies to nourish your physique with dwelling meals that feed your dwelling physique.
Eradicate Single-Use Plastics
Actually at house you should use reusable straws, utensils, and fabric napkins. A lot of you already do this. And once you exit for eating you can deliver your personal containers. Tip: Help eateries utilizing compostable packaging.
Get Rid of Your Carpet
Artificial fibers in carpet shed microplastics. Carpets additionally entice a whole lot of mud and allergens, and probably mildew down inside. They might really feel comfortable, however there are numerous causes to go along with exhausting floor flooring coverings. Use a throw rug manufactured from pure fibers as a substitute.
Conclusion
The concept that you’re consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week simply isn’t true. The true quantity is way, a lot smaller, and there’s no have to panic. Nonetheless, microplastics are in every single place, and scientists are studying extra about how they could have an effect on our well being—particularly in the case of hormones, irritation, and intestine well being.
The perfect factor you are able to do is straightforward: Drink purified water, not from a plastic bottle. This one change could make an enormous distinction in what number of microplastics you soak up. Together with a number of different straightforward swaps, you may defend your self and your loved ones from pointless plastic publicity.
Our purpose is to be accountable stewards of what God has given to us, to not worship the atmosphere or “mom earth” or something like that. We simply don’t need to pollute our earth, our neighbors, or ourselves. So, by making discerning decisions about plastics that come into contact with our meals we honor God’s creation and defend our our bodies.
