You might have seen the headlines: “We eat a bank card’s value 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 a detailed 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 Broad 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 primarily based on a mixture of research and assumptions. A LOT of assumptions.
Right here’s the vital half: More moderen, extra cautious analysis exhibits 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 exhibits is as an alternative of consuming a bank card every 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 evaluations discovered that the true quantity of microplastics individuals 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 acquired common as a result of it’s straightforward to image and makes a catchy headline, however it doesn’t match what scientists have discovered once they look extra intently.
So, no—you aren’t consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week. The actual quantity is far 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 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 after we swallow or breathe in microplastics. Right here’s a few of what scientists have uncovered up to now:
1. Endocrine Disruption
Some microplastics carry chemical compounds 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 of a “protected” quantity of BPA developed extra insulin resistance in simply 4 days, which might increase the danger of diabetes. Lots of different troubles will be traced again to disrupted hormones as properly, affecting generations not even born but.
2. Irritation
Microplastics may 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 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 residence to trillions of useful micro organism. If these micro organism get off-balance it causes lots of havoc in our complete physique. Intestine pathology is the foundation of many auto-immune illnesses in addition to inflammatory intestine illnesses, practical dyspepsia, SIBO, and irritable bowel syndrome. These micro organism assist us digest meals and maintain us wholesome. A 2021 examine discovered that microplastics can upset the steadiness of those intestine micro organism, inflicting “intestine dysbiosis.” When the intestine will get out of steadiness, 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 perfect science, we aren’t consuming practically as a lot plastic because the headlines declare. However even small quantities of microplastics may affect our well being over time, particularly as a result of they’ll carry dangerous chemical compounds and upset our intestine well being.
Since microplastic publicity is within the intestine, it is smart to eat a fiber-rich food plan (just like the Hallelujah Food regimen) 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 retaining 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 Scale 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 begin proper within the kitchen. Listed here are 9 sensible steps you possibly can take as we speak:
Keep away from Bottled Water
That is the one largest factor you are able to do. Research present that bottled water accommodates far more microplastic than faucet water. So, if you wish to reduce down on microplastics, cease shopping for bottled water.
Use a Water Filter
If you’re nervous about your faucet water, use water filter at residence. Berkey water filters are wonderful. Reverse osmosis water is ok in case you remineralize it after purification after which change the filters on schedule. Distilled water can be wonderful, in case 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 Luggage
Use beeswax wraps or reusable silicone luggage as an alternative of cling wrap or Ziploc luggage. Fabric produce luggage are good for buying. (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 chopping boards and bamboo utensils (until you need 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.
Get rid of Non-Stick Pans. Use Stainless Metal and Forged iron cookware.
PFOA and PFOAS perpetually chemical compounds come from teflon surfaces. Ceramic non-stick is a wholesome choice as properly. Tip: Forged iron cookware can final generations. Oil and lecithin remedy makes forged iron just about non-stick, at the very least quickly.
Keep away from Microwaving Plastics (in case 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 Recent, 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 fruit and veggies to nourish your physique with residing meals that feed your residing physique.
Get rid of Single-Use Plastics
Actually at residence you should utilize reusable straws, utensils, and fabric napkins. A lot of you already try this. And if you exit for eating you might carry your personal containers. Tip: Help eateries utilizing compostable packaging.
Get Rid of Your Carpet
Artificial fibers in carpet shed microplastics. Carpets additionally lure lots of mud and allergens, and probably mildew down inside. They could really feel delicate, however there are various causes to go together with onerous floor flooring coverings. Use a throw rug fabricated from pure fibers as an alternative.
Conclusion
The concept that you’re consuming a bank card’s value of plastic each week simply isn’t true. The actual quantity is far, a lot smaller, and there’s no must panic. Nonetheless, microplastics are in all places, and scientists are studying extra about how they could 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 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 couple of different straightforward swaps, you possibly can 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 decisions about plastics that come into contact with our meals we honor God’s creation and defend our our bodies.