You’ll have seen the headlines: “We eat a bank card’s price of plastic each week!” The picture of chopsticks holding a bank card is stunning. “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 have a look at the place this declare comes from, what the true science says in regards to 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 (in regards to 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 folks may be consuming, ingesting, and respiration every week. Their highest estimate was 5 grams per week, however this was simply considered one of a number of guesses primarily based on a mixture of research and assumptions. A LOT of assumptions.
Right here’s the necessary half: Newer, extra cautious analysis reveals that this quantity is means too excessive—by an element of one million! (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 reveals is as a substitute of consuming a bank card per week, it’s truly 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 folks often eat is far, a lot decrease, nearer to 4 micrograms per week. That’s a tiny fraction of a bank card. The “5 grams” quantity bought fashionable as a result of it’s simple to image and makes a catchy headline, however it doesn’t match what scientists have discovered once they look extra carefully.
So, no—you aren’t consuming a bank card’s price of plastic each week. The true quantity is far 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 all places—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 once we swallow or breathe in microplastics. Right here’s a few of what scientists have uncovered to this point:
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 examine discovered that even adults who ate what was thought-about a “protected” quantity of BPA developed extra insulin resistance in simply 4 days, which may increase the chance of diabetes. A variety of different troubles may be traced again to disrupted hormones as properly, affecting generations not even born but.
2. Irritation
Microplastics could 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 have been fed comparatively excessive doses of microplastics, their our bodies reacted with irritation. In a separate examine 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 dwelling to trillions of useful micro organism. If these micro organism get off-balance it causes a variety of havoc in our complete physique. Intestine pathology is the basis of many auto-immune ailments in addition to inflammatory intestine ailments, useful dyspepsia, SIBO, and irritable bowel syndrome. These micro organism assist us digest meals and hold us wholesome. A 2021 examine discovered that microplastics can upset the stability of those intestine micro organism, inflicting “intestine dysbiosis.” When the intestine will get out of stability, it might probably result in issues with digestion and even have an effect on our immune system and metabolism.
Ought to We Be Fearful?
The excellent news is that, primarily based on the very best science, we aren’t consuming practically as a lot plastic because the headlines declare. However even small quantities of microplastics might have an affect on 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 smart to eat a fiber-rich eating regimen (just like the Hallelujah Weight loss program) to bind up microplastics earlier than they get absorbed. Utilizing binders like activated charcoal and bentonite clay could also be useful. Ingesting plenty of purified water to assist your kidneys. And conserving 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 quite a bit along side the meals we eat and drinks we drink. So, it is smart to begin proper within the kitchen. Listed here are 9 sensible steps you may take as we speak:
Keep away from Bottled Water
That is the one greatest factor you are able to do. Research present that bottled water incorporates rather more microplastic than faucet water. So, if you wish to minimize down on microplastics, cease shopping for bottled water.
Use a Water Filter
In case you are nervous about your faucet water, use water filter at dwelling. Berkey water filters are wonderful. Reverse osmosis water is ok in the event you remineralize it after purification after which change the filters on schedule. Distilled water can also be wonderful, in the event you remineralize it earlier than ingesting.
Swap Plastic Containers for Glass or Stainless Metal
Change plastic Rubbermaid andTupperware with glass jars (like Mason jars) or stainless-steel containers. They’re protected, sturdy, and don’t leach microplastics. Tip: Reuse glass jars from sauces to retailer leftovers or bulk grains.
Ditch Plastic Wrap and Baggage
Use beeswax wraps or reusable silicone luggage as a substitute of cling wrap or Ziploc luggage. Fabric produce luggage are excellent for procuring. (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 picket reducing boards and bamboo utensils (until it’s a must to fear about gluten contamination). Nylon or silicone utensils may be extra steady than different plastics. Tip: Seal picket boards with food-grade mineral oil for hygiene.
Eradicate Non-Stick Pans. Use Stainless Metal and Forged iron cookware.
PFOA and PFOAS endlessly chemical substances come from teflon surfaces. Ceramic non-stick is a wholesome possibility as properly. Tip: Forged iron cookware can final generations. Oil and lecithin remedy makes forged iron nearly non-stick, a minimum of briefly.
Keep away from Microwaving Plastics (in the event 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 luggage. Tip: Give attention to uncooked, natural vegetables and fruit to nourish your physique with residing meals that feed your residing physique.
Eradicate Single-Use Plastics
Actually at dwelling you need to use reusable straws, utensils, and material napkins. A lot of you already do this. And whenever you exit for eating you 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 a variety of mud and allergens, and probably mildew down inside. They might really feel comfortable, however there are various causes to go together with laborious floor ground coverings. Use a throw rug manufactured from pure fibers as a substitute.
Conclusion
The thought that you’re consuming a bank card’s price of plastic each week simply isn’t true. The true quantity is far, a lot smaller, and there’s no have to panic. Nonetheless, microplastics are in all places, and scientists are studying extra about how they may have an effect on our well being—particularly with regards to hormones, irritation, and intestine well being.
The very best 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 soak up. Together with a number of different simple swaps, you may defend your self and your loved ones from pointless plastic publicity.
Our purpose is to be accountable stewards of what God has given to us, to not worship the setting or “mom earth” or something like that. We simply don’t wish 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.