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

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

Vienna, AT - The alarming results of a current study show that microplastics in the brains of deceased people have increased drastically in recent years. An analysis showed that an average of around 7 grams of microplastics were detected in brains from 2024. This corresponds approximately to the weight of a tight tablespoon of salt and is alarming when you consider that only 4.6 grams were found in 2016. The discovery published by researchers at the University of New Mexico indicates a worrying penetration of microplastics in our body, especially in the brain, where a higher concentration than in other organs such as liver or kidneys was determined, such as nzz.ch reported .

The dangers of the invisible particles

microplastics, the particles of which are between a micrometer and five millimeters tall, can be absorbed unnoticed by everyday activities such as drinking from plastic bottles or the enjoyment of food in plastic packaging. These tiny particles can overcome the so-called blood-brain barrier, which could possibly lead to chronic inflammation or genetic changes. Studies show that in certain constellations, such as dementia patients, five times more microplastics in the brain was demonstrated, as the researchers found. However, the effects on health have not yet been fully understood, and there are urgent research needs to clarify the relationships, as well as Vienna.at explained .

The main causes for the enrichment of microplastics in our body are the consumption of processed foods that come from plastic packaging, as well as constant exposure to microplasty in the air and in water. A team of researchers also points out that heating food in plastic containers can release microplastics. In view of these reports, the need for a drastic reduction in our plastic consumption becomes a priority to minimize future health risks.