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 take 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 we eat 5 grams of plastic each week (concerning the weight of a bank card) began with a 2019 report by the World Huge Fund for Nature (WWF) and researchers on the College of Newcastle, Australia. They tried to estimate how a lot microplastic folks is perhaps consuming, ingesting, and respiration every week. Their highest estimate was 5 grams per week, however this was simply one among a number of guesses based mostly on a mixture of research and assumptions. A LOT of assumptions.
Right here’s the necessary half: More moderen, extra cautious analysis reveals that this quantity is method 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 every 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 actual quantity of microplastics folks normally 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 acquired fashionable as a result of it’s straightforward to image and makes a catchy headline, but it surely doesn’t match what scientists have discovered after they look extra intently.
So, no—you aren’t consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week. The actual quantity is way smaller, and the scary meme relies 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 all over the place—in our water, meals, and even the air we breathe.
How Do Microplastics Have an effect on Our Well being?
Despite the fact 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 this point:
1. Endocrine Disruption
Some microplastics carry chemical compounds like BPA and phthalates. These are referred to 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 “protected” quantity of BPA developed extra insulin resistance in simply 4 days, which might increase the chance of diabetes. Lots of different troubles could be traced again to disrupted hormones as nicely, affecting generations not even born but.
2. Irritation
Microplastics could cause irritation within the physique. Power irritation is on the coronary heart of lots of our persistent 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 residence to trillions of useful micro organism. If these micro organism get off-balance it causes quite a lot of havoc in our entire physique. Intestine pathology is the basis 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 maintain us wholesome. A 2021 research discovered that microplastics can upset the steadiness of those intestine micro organism, inflicting “intestine dysbiosis.” When the intestine will get out of steadiness, it will 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, based mostly on the perfect science, we’re not consuming almost as a lot plastic because the headlines declare. However even small quantities of microplastics may have an affect on our well being over time, particularly as a result of they will carry dangerous chemical compounds and upset our intestine well being.
Since microplastic publicity is within the intestine, it is sensible to eat a fiber-rich eating 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 numerous purified water to assist your kidneys. And protecting your intestine well being in tip high form with probiotics, prebiotic fiber (like onions, chicory root, and konjac mannan (glucomannan) wouldn’t harm both.
Sensible Steps to Cut back Plastic Publicity in Your Home
The kitchen is one place the place plastics get used loads along side the meals we eat and drinks we drink. So, it is sensible to begin proper within the kitchen. Listed below are 9 sensible steps you’ll be able to take immediately:
Keep away from Bottled Water
That is the only greatest factor you are able to do. Research present that bottled water incorporates way more microplastic than faucet water. So, if you wish to reduce down on microplastics, cease shopping for bottled water.
Use a Water Filter
In case you are nervous about your faucet water, use a superb water filter at residence. Berkey water filters are glorious. Reverse osmosis water is okay if you happen to remineralize it after purification after which change the filters on schedule. Distilled water can also be glorious, if you happen to remineralize it earlier than ingesting.
Swap Plastic Containers for Glass or Stainless Metal
Substitute plastic Rubbermaid andTupperware with glass jars (like Mason jars) or chrome 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 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 wood chopping boards and bamboo utensils (except you must fear about gluten contamination). Nylon or silicone utensils is perhaps extra steady than different plastics. Tip: Seal wood boards with food-grade mineral oil for hygiene.
Remove Non-Stick Pans. Use Stainless Metal and Forged iron cookware.
PFOA and PFOAS ceaselessly chemical compounds 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 just about non-stick, at the very least briefly.
Keep away from Microwaving Plastics (if you happen to 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 Recent, Unpackaged Meals
Store at farmers’ markets or bulk shops for unpackaged produce and grains. Bulk grains and beans are available in paper luggage. Tip: Deal with uncooked, natural vegetables and fruit to nourish your physique with residing meals that feed your residing physique.
Remove Single-Use Plastics
Actually at residence you need to use reusable straws, utensils, and fabric napkins. A lot of you already try this. And while you exit for eating you possibly can convey your personal containers. Tip: Assist eateries utilizing compostable packaging.
Get Rid of Your Carpet
Artificial fibers in carpet shed microplastics. Carpets additionally entice quite a lot of mud and allergens, and presumably mould down inside. They could really feel gentle, however there are various causes to go together with arduous 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 value 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 all over the place, and scientists are studying extra about how they could have an effect on our well being—particularly relating 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 just a few different straightforward swaps, you’ll be able to 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 atmosphere or “mom earth” or something like that. We simply don’t wish 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 defend our our bodies.
