You might have seen the headlines: “We eat a bank card’s price 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 an in depth take a look at the place this declare comes from, what the true 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 Extensive Fund for Nature (WWF) and researchers on the College of Newcastle, Australia. They tried to estimate how a lot microplastic individuals is likely to be consuming, consuming, and respiration every week. Their highest estimate was 5 grams per week, however this was simply one in every of a number of guesses based mostly on a mixture of research and assumptions. A LOT of assumptions.
Right here’s the vital half: Newer, extra cautious analysis exhibits that this quantity is manner 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 an alternative of consuming a bank card every 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 opinions discovered that the true 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 received fashionable as a result of it’s straightforward to image and makes a catchy headline, however it doesn’t match what scientists have discovered after they look extra carefully.
So, no—you aren’t consuming a bank card’s price of plastic each week. The actual 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?
Regardless that we aren’t consuming a bank card’s price 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 up to now:
1. Endocrine Disruption
Some microplastics carry chemical substances like BPA and phthalates. These are known 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 of a “secure” quantity of BPA developed extra insulin resistance in simply 4 days, which may increase the danger of diabetes. Lots of different troubles might be traced again to disrupted hormones as nicely, affecting generations not even born but.
2. Irritation
Microplastics may cause irritation within the physique. Continual irritation is on the coronary heart of a lot of our power 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 lots of havoc in our complete physique. Intestine pathology is the foundation of many auto-immune ailments in addition to inflammatory intestine ailments, practical dyspepsia, SIBO, and irritable bowel syndrome. These micro organism assist us digest meals and maintain us wholesome. A 2021 research discovered that microplastics can upset the stability of those intestine micro organism, inflicting “intestine dysbiosis.” When the intestine will get out of stability, it may result in issues with digestion and even have an effect on our immune system and metabolism.
Ought to We Be Apprehensive?
The excellent news is that, based mostly on the most effective science, we aren’t consuming almost as a lot plastic because the headlines declare. However even small quantities of microplastics might affect 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 loss plan) to bind up microplastics earlier than they get absorbed. Utilizing binders like activated charcoal and bentonite clay could also be useful. Ingesting a number of purified water to help your kidneys. And preserving 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 loads at the side of 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 at present:
Keep away from Bottled Water
That is the one largest factor you are able to do. Research present that bottled water accommodates far more microplastic than faucet water. So, if you wish to lower down on microplastics, cease shopping for bottled water.
Use a Water Filter
In case you are fearful about your faucet water, use an excellent water filter at house. Berkey water filters are wonderful. Reverse osmosis water is ok should you remineralize it after purification after which change the filters on schedule. Distilled water can also be wonderful, should you remineralize it earlier than consuming.
Swap Plastic Containers for Glass or Stainless Metal
Change 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 an alternative of cling wrap or Ziploc baggage. Material produce baggage are excellent for buying. (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 a must to fear about gluten contamination). Nylon or silicone utensils is likely to be extra secure 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 choice as nicely. Tip: Forged iron cookware can final generations. Oil and lecithin therapy makes forged iron nearly non-stick, no less than briefly.
Keep away from Microwaving Plastics (should you use a microwave)
Warmth meals in glass or ceramic dishes, lined with a plate or paper towel. Tip: Reheat on the stovetop in forged iron for higher taste and security.
Purchase Contemporary, 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 vegatables and fruits to nourish your physique with dwelling meals that feed your dwelling physique.
Eradicate Single-Use Plastics
Definitely at house you should use reusable straws, utensils, and material napkins. A lot of you already try this. And once you exit for eating you possibly can convey your personal containers. Tip: Help eateries utilizing compostable packaging.
Get Rid of Your Carpet
Artificial fibers in carpet shed microplastics. Carpets additionally lure lots of mud and allergens, and probably mould down inside. They could really feel comfortable, however there are lots of causes to go along with exhausting floor flooring coverings. Use a throw rug manufactured from pure fibers as an alternative.
Conclusion
The thought that you’re consuming a bank card’s price of plastic each week simply isn’t true. The actual quantity is way, a lot smaller, and there’s no must 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 with regards to hormones, irritation, and intestine well being.
The most effective factor you are able to do is easy: Drink purified water, not from a plastic bottle. This one change could make an enormous distinction in what number of microplastics you absorb. Together with a number of different straightforward swaps, you may defend your self and your loved ones from pointless plastic publicity.
Our objective is to be accountable stewards of what God has given to us, to not worship the surroundings or “mom earth” or something like that. We simply don’t need to pollute our earth, our neighbors, or ourselves. So, by making discerning selections about plastics that come into contact with our meals we honor God’s creation and defend our our bodies.
