Have you ever wondered how much plastic is in your food? Microplastics are everywhere and avoiding them is not
possible. They come from packaging and water and are also found in the air around you. Many people are worried about the health risks but do not know how to reduce exposure. Small changes in daily habits can help limit the amount that enters your body. Here are simple ways to keep your food safer and protect your health from microplastics.
Plastic packaging is one of the biggest sources of microplastics in food. Many foods sit in plastic for weeks before they reach your home, and tiny plastic particles can break off and mix into what you eat. Fresh foods from local markets are a better choice. Buying unpackaged fruits and vegetables helps reduce plastic exposure. Some stores also offer dry goods in paper or glass containers. Simple decisions when purchasing food items can make a big difference in what goes into your body.
Plastic storage containers can release microplastics over time. Heat and scratches cause plastic to break down and mix into food. Glass and stainless steel are safer options for keeping meals fresh. Silicone containers are another good alternative for storing leftovers. Many people habitually use plastic, but switching to safer materials is easy. Cloth wraps can also replace plastic wraps for covering food. Small changes in storage can limit exposure to plastic particles.
Microwaving food in plastic can release microplastics into your meals. High temperatures cause plastic to break down
faster, meaning that even containers labeled as safe can still release harmful particles. So, what can you do to avoid microplastics? Using glass or ceramic dishes for reheating is a better choice. Plastic utensils and plates can also release microplastics when exposed to heat. Choosing the right materials for cooking and serving food helps keep plastic out of your diet. You can also avoid using plastic in the kitchen to lower your risk over time.
Tap water and bottled water both contain microplastics. A good filter can help remove tiny particles before they reach your glass. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters are some of the best options. Even with filtering, drinking from glass or stainless steel bottles is better. Plastic water bottles can shed microplastics into the water over time. Storing water in safer materials can reduce the risk even further. Drinking clean and filtered water is one of the easiest ways to limit plastic exposure.
Most of us don’t know that processed foods contain microplastics from packaging and production. Chips and frozen meals often sit in plastic for long periods. The more food is handled and packaged, the higher the risk of contamination. Whole foods like fresh vegetables and nuts are safer choices. You can also check the packaging of the food when buying it from stores. Choose the ones in paper or glass to limit microplastics from entering your system. Focusing on fresh and simple ingredients can help lower exposure to plastic. A diet rich in whole foods is better for both health and safety.
One of the most effective ways to get rid of microplastics in food is to wash it. Washing produce under running water helps remove tiny particles. Scrubbing rough-skinned fruits and vegetables can remove even more contaminants. Peeling can also reduce exposure but is not always necessary. Soaking food in baking soda water may help clean off hidden residues. Even simple rinsing can lower the amount of plastic in your diet. Taking a little extra time to clean food properly is worth it.
Organic foods may contain fewer microplastics because they undergo fewer industrial processes. Many non-organic foods are wrapped in plastic and kept in it for weeks. Some organic markets use paper or compostable materials instead. Farms that avoid plastic mulch also reduce the risk of contamination. You can opt for organic foods when possible, to minimize the microplastics in your food intake. If it is not possible to go fully organic, replacing a few food items with organic ones can considerably reduce the microplastics entering the body.
A new study found that 99% of seafood samples contained microplastics, with shrimp having the highest levels. Most of these tiny plastic particles come from clothing fibers, which can end up in the ocean through laundry wastewater. Since microplastics have been linked to health risks like cancer and nerve damage, it’s important to take steps to reduce exposure.
Of course, reducing your exposure is going to be tremendously beneficial but even more so is discovering how much plastic there is in your body and then taking steps to reduce or remove it. Possible? Absolutely!
Our office has available a blood test you can do at home which reveals the number of plastics in your blood. With this information we can determine a course of action best suited to rid your body of these toxins.
To get your test kit or learn more about the process, simply contact our office. This service is but another we offer to help you enjoy “the best performance of your life!”
God bless,
DrB
