A spoonful of plastic found inside human brain, scientists warn of health consequences and suggest what to do about it

Microplastics are aggressively competing for a place in the ecosystem. They are present everywhere, including the human brain. A recent paper in Nature Medicine found that the human brain contains approximately a spoon's worth of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs); brain tissues were found to have 7–30 times higher amounts of MNPs than other organs such as the liver or kidney.

A commentary report published in the Brain Medicine journal has shed light on the growing menace of microplastics, the health consequences that are likely to show up and the measures that can be taken for remedy.

"The current evidence base (largely based upon animal and cell culture studies) suggests that MNP exposure can lead to adverse health impacts via oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysfunction, altered biochemical/energy metabolism, impaired cell proliferation, abnormal organ development, disrupted metabolic pathways, and carcinogenicity," the researchers have said.

"Particularly, a recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that people with a carotid artery plaque in which MNPs were detected had a higher risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or all-cause mortality (5). Additionally, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients' stool contained about 1.5 times more microplastics than healthy controls, averaging 41.8 vs. 28.0 particles per gram of dry stool," they have said in the report highlighting a study on mice where mice exposed to nanoplastics for 8 weeks led to learning and memory deficits, lower levels of synaptic proteins, and neuroinflammation.

The scientists have urged to "reduce the most significant sources of microplastic intake."

"Switching from bottled water to tap water could reduce microplastic intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year, making it an impactful intervention," they have suggested. "Stopping the practice of heating food in plastic could be one of the most effective ways to reduce microplastic consumption."

"Limiting canned food consumption and opting for non-plastic or BPA-free packaged alternatives can effectively reduce exposure," the researchers have said and have added, "Highly processed foods, like chicken nuggets, contained 30 times more microplastics per gram than chicken breasts, highlighting the impact of industrial processing, which often uses plastics at some point."

How to reduce microplastics in daily life

Avoid using bottled waterUse a high-quality water filter (such as one with activated carbon or reverse osmosis) at home. Opt for glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free reusable bottles instead of plastic bottles. Drink tap water if it is deemed safe in your area, as it often contains fewer microplastics than bottled water.

Eat fresh and unprocessed foodsChoose fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods over processed and packaged items. Store food in glass or stainless-steel containers rather than plastic ones. Avoid heating food in plastic containers, as heat releases more plastic particles.

Avoid plastic utensilsUse loose-leaf tea with a stainless-steel or glass infuser. Switch to bamboo, wooden, or metal cutlery and straws. Avoid takeaway coffee cups with plastic linings.

Choose household items carefullyChoosing natural skincare and beauty products free from microbeads. Using fragrance-free or eco-friendly detergents and soaps. Washing synthetic clothes (like polyester) in a microplastic-filtering laundry bag or using a washing machine filter.