Nanoplastics and climate change have an unexpected enemy: Fiber
Scientists already back plant-heavy diets to cut food emissions. Now there’s evidence the same foods help the body resist plastic pollution.
As the planet warms, researchers have discovered a surprising ally in the fight against nanoplastics: fiber. Two new studies on mice reveal that diets high in fiber may help prevent these tiny plastic particles from being absorbed into the body, while high-fat diets actually increase nanoplastic absorption by up to 2.8 times. Nanoplastics, which originate from plastic waste that degrades into micro and nano-sized particles, have been found in various parts of the human body, including the brain, lungs, liver, and even coronary arteries, where they can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage.
By shaping the intestinal microbiome, coating nanoplastic particles, and speeding up their elimination through waste, fiber may protect the intestinal lining from excessive exposure to these harmful contaminants. While human studies are still needed to confirm these findings, the results suggest that sustainable, high-fiber diets could not only improve overall health but also reduce the risk of nanoplastic-related health issues.
Written by urgent.news from Anthropocene Magazine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
