You’ll have seen the headlines: “We eat a bank card’s value 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 a detailed have a look at the place this declare comes from, what the actual 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 that 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 may be consuming, ingesting, 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 essential half: Newer, extra cautious analysis reveals that this quantity is manner 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 an alternative of consuming a bank card per 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 critiques discovered that the actual 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 obtained in style as a result of it’s straightforward to image and makes a catchy headline, nevertheless it doesn’t match what scientists have discovered after they look extra carefully.
So, no—you aren’t consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week. The true 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 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 value 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 date:
1. Endocrine Disruption
Some microplastics carry chemical substances like BPA and phthalates. These are known as “endocrine disruptors” as a result of they will mess with our hormones. A 2025 research discovered that even adults who ate what was thought-about a “secure” quantity of BPA developed extra insulin resistance in simply 4 days, which may increase the danger of diabetes. Plenty of different troubles could be traced again to disrupted hormones as effectively, affecting generations not even born but.
2. Irritation
Microplastics could cause irritation within the physique. Persistent irritation is on the coronary heart of lots of our persistent 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 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 quite a lot of havoc in our complete physique. Intestine pathology is the foundation of many auto-immune illnesses in addition to inflammatory intestine illnesses, purposeful dyspepsia, SIBO, and irritable bowel syndrome. These micro organism assist us digest meals and hold 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 well 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, based mostly on the most effective science, we’re not 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 will 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 food regimen (just like the Hallelujah Food plan) to bind up microplastics earlier than they get absorbed. Utilizing binders like activated charcoal and bentonite clay could also be useful. Consuming a number of purified water to help your kidneys. And retaining your intestine well being in tip high form with probiotics, prebiotic fiber (like onions, chicory root, and konjac mannan (glucomannan) wouldn’t damage both.
Sensible Steps to Cut back Plastic Publicity in Your Home
The kitchen is one place the place plastics get used so much together with the meals we eat and drinks we drink. So, it is smart to start out proper within the kitchen. Listed here are 9 sensible steps you possibly can take right now:
Keep away from Bottled Water
That is the only greatest factor you are able to do. Research present that bottled water comprises rather more microplastic than faucet water. So, if you wish to minimize down on microplastics, cease shopping for bottled water.
Use a Water Filter
If you’re apprehensive about your faucet water, use a great water filter at house. Berkey water filters are wonderful. Reverse osmosis water is ok if you happen to remineralize it after purification after which change the filters on schedule. Distilled water can also be wonderful, if you happen to remineralize it earlier than ingesting.
Swap Plastic Containers for Glass or Stainless Metal
Exchange 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 luggage as an alternative of cling wrap or Ziploc luggage. Fabric produce luggage are good for purchasing. (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 (except it’s important 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.
Remove 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 effectively. Tip: Forged iron cookware can final generations. Oil and lecithin remedy makes forged iron nearly non-stick, no less than quickly.
Keep away from Microwaving Plastics (if you happen to use a microwave)
Warmth meals in glass or ceramic dishes, coated 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: Concentrate on uncooked, natural vegatables and fruits to nourish your physique with dwelling meals that feed your dwelling physique.
Remove Single-Use Plastics
Actually at house you should use reusable straws, utensils, and material napkins. Lots of you already try this. And while you exit for eating you possibly can deliver your personal containers. Tip: Help eateries utilizing compostable packaging.
Get Rid of Your Carpet
Artificial fibers in carpet shed microplastics. Carpets additionally lure quite a lot of mud and allergens, and probably mould down inside. They might really feel smooth, however there are lots of causes to go together with laborious floor ground coverings. Use a throw rug made from pure fibers as an alternative.
Conclusion
The thought that you’re consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week simply isn’t true. The true quantity is way, 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 in the case of hormones, irritation, and intestine well being.
The very best factor you are able to do is straightforward: 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 just a few different straightforward swaps, you possibly can shield 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 need to pollute our earth, our neighbors, or ourselves. So, by making discerning decisions about plastics that come into contact with our meals we honor God’s creation and shield our our bodies.
