Good News: Scientists Say There May Be a Way To Counteract All Those Microplastics in Your Body

At first glance, it’s easy to write off microplastics as one of those things we have to learn to live with. After all, these teeny plastic particles have been detected pretty much everywhere—including in dust, fabrics, rain, seafood, and table salt—making them kind of impossible to avoid. When you start to pay attention to the onslaught of research that’s been coming out lately about the potential impact of microplastics on our health, it’s understandable to feel a little panicked. 

While there’s not a magic microplastic remover out there to help, new research suggests the scientific community may be close to discovering something that can help to counteract all those microplastics you’re coming into contact with on a regular basis. 

A scientific review published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis¹ found that the antioxidants responsible for giving fruits and flowers their vibrant colors may actually help combat the potentially harmful effects of microplastics on the body. They’re called anthocyanins, and preliminary research in rodents suggests they may help fight damage done to the reproductive system by microplastics. 

There’s a lot to unpack here, and even the authors of this scientific review point out that more research is needed. Here’s what the research shows so far, plus what two toxicologists want you to know.  

Why are microplastics in your body bad?

There’s a lot of reasons why microplastics aren’t good for your health, but we’ll try to make it brief. At baseline, plastics don’t break down easily, explains Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Instead, they build up in the environment over time after humans finish using them, and break into smaller fragments called microplastics from the water, wind, and UV light. “These small pieces of plastic are often invisible to the naked eye,” Johnson-Arbor says. “But microplastic fragments are present in our air, food, and water supply, and are also found throughout the human body.” 

Microplastics have been detected in everything from human hearts to sperm, suggesting they’re really, truly everywhere. “The presence of microplastics in the human body has raised concern about their potential to cause unwanted human health effects, including inflammation, cancer, and reproductive harm,” Johnson-Arbor says. 

There’s even a link between microplastics and dementia. A study published in the journal Nature Medicine² in February analyzed brain tissue samples and found that levels of microplastics in people diagnosed with dementia were 10 times higher than those who didn’t have the condition. 

But there’s also a lot we don’t know about how microplastics influence our health. “One of the major concerns about microplastics is that we do not know the long-term consequences of exposure to these,” says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. “There are preliminary studies that cite potential reproductive toxicity, among other concerns…at this point we simply do not have enough data to do an accurate assessment of all the risks.”

What are these antioxidants that can counteract microplastics?

Anthocyanins, the aforementioned antioxidants, are water-soluble, brightly colored pigments that are responsible for the vibrant colors of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, Johnson-Arbor says. They’re also in a class of compounds called flavonoids, which have a reputation for their helpful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

How can anthocyanins reverse microplastic damage in the body?

This particular scientific review looked at the impact of anthocyanins on reproductive damage caused by microplastics, but toxicologists say there’s a potential impact on other areas of the body. 

It comes down to the way microplastics work in the body, as well as how anthocyanins function. Microplastics have been linked to oxidative stress, which is what happens when there’s an imbalance of unstable molecules called free radicals in the body and not enough antioxidants to get rid of them, Alan explains. “That means that the microplastics can attack our cell membranes and our DNA,” she says. 

But anthocyanins act as antioxidants, which means they can work to counteract oxidative stress. “It is important to note that we experience oxidative damage from many sources, and our bodies are generally well equipped to handle this,” Alan says. “However, the concern is whether we ‘overwhelm’ our body with too many things that cause this damage.”

Something else to consider, according to Johnson-Arbor: Anthocyanins may also assist with hormone function in the human body and may be able to improve your reproductive health by counterbalancing the endocrine disruption that microplastics may cause. 

How to get more anthocyanins in your life

There are some supplements that contain anthocyanins, but experts suggest trying to get these from food first. These are some of the best sources:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Plums
• Blackberries

“Foods derived from these fruits and vegetables, including fruit juices and wine, also contain anthocyanins,” Johnson-Arbor says. 

Other ways to lower your exposure to microplastics

Research into using anthocyanins to counteract the harmful effects of microplastics is ongoing, which is why toxicologists recommend doing what you can to lower your interaction with microplastics. “The best thing to do is avoid plastic as much as possible,” Alan says. “Use metal or glass for food containers. Try to avoid single use plastics.”

Johnson-Arbor also suggests taking reusable bags to the grocery store and avoiding bottled water, which research shows contains more microplastic particles than tap water³. “Limiting the use of plastic food packaging, whether in children’s lunch boxes or in pre-packaged food at the grocery store, can also reduce microplastic exposure,” she says. 

But ultimately, just do your best. “At this point we all have been exposed to some sort of microplastics through a multitude of sources,” Alan says. “Minimizing the exposure is key.” If you’re able to squeeze more anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables into your day, too, even better.