Microplastics in the brain: These invisible particles are so dangerous!

Microplastics in the brain: These invisible particles are so dangerous!

The alarming results of a recent study show that microplastics in the brains of deceased people have increased dramatically in recent years. An analysis showed that an average of around 7 grams of microplastics were detected in brains from 2024. This is about the weight of a scant tablespoon of salt and is alarmingly high considering only 4.6 grams were found in 2016. The discovery, published by researchers at the University of New Mexico, suggests a worrying penetration of microplastics in our bodies, particularly in the brain, where a higher concentration was found than in other organs such as the liver or kidneys NZZ.ch reported.

The dangers of invisible particles

Microplastics, whose particles are between one micrometer and five millimeters in size, can be ingested unnoticed through everyday activities such as drinking from plastic bottles or eating food in plastic packaging. These tiny particles can cross the so-called blood-brain barrier, which could potentially lead to chronic inflammation or genetic changes. Studies show that in certain constellations, such as dementia patients, five times more microplastics were detected in the brain, the researchers found. However, the effects on health are not yet fully understood and there is an urgent need for research to clarify the connections, as well vienna.at explained.

The main causes of the accumulation of microplastics in our bodies are the consumption of processed foods that come from plastic packaging and constant exposure to microplastics in the air and water. A team of researchers also points out that heating food in plastic containers can release microplastics. In light of these reports, the need to dramatically reduce our plastic consumption becomes a priority to minimize future health risks.