Your Body vs. Microplastics: 6 Easy Ways to Protect Yourself

Are You Eating a Credit Card’s Worth of Plastic Each Week? Here’s How to Reduce It.

We need more studies, but - Yikes!

Like you, I love a good chat with friends about ways to live a little healthier. Recently, on a hike, my friend casually dropped this bombshell:

“Did you know the average American ingests a credit card’s worth of microplastics every week?”

Excuse me, what?! Surely not that much… right? But a little online digging confirmed that, yes, some studies do suggest this could be true. And while the exact amount varies based on lifestyle, it’s safe to say that we’re all consuming tiny plastic particles—whether we like it or not.

The good news? There are simple steps you can take to cut down your exposure. Below, I’m sharing six easy ways to reduce your microplastic intake. Pick three and start small—every little bit helps your body help you!

What Are Microplastics Anyway?

Microplastics are exactly what they sound like: tiny plastic particles that end up in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Some of these particles pass through our bodies, but others accumulate in our tissues, organs, and even our brains (yes, really). Scientists are still studying the long-term effects, but early research suggests they could pose serious health risks.

Here’s what we do know:

• Some microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning they might impact brain function.

• A study found that if we ingest 900 microplastic particles a day, only about 200 are expelled—the rest may stay in our bodies.

• Microplastics have been detected in human tissue, organs, and even placentas of unborn babies.

• The largest source of microplastics in our diet? Drinking water—especially bottled water.

  
  

Where Are Microplastics Hiding?

Microplastics are everywhere, but some of the biggest sources include:

🔹 Bottled water – Often bottled in plastic, which sheds tiny particles into the water.

🔹 Tap water – While generally safer than bottled, it still contains some microplastics (filtration helps!).

🔹 Air quality – Yep, we even breathe them in. Airborne microplastics come from synthetic clothing, dust, and pollution.

🔹 Food sources – Common culprits include:

• Beer

• Seafood

• Tea bags (especially those fancy silky ones—opt for unbleached paper!)

• Salt & sugar

• Plastic cutting boards (they shed tiny particles into your food!)

🔹 Single-use plastics – Think plastic bags, containers, food wrappers, lids, and even cigarette butts. These break down into microplastics over time.

🔹 Hygiene & beauty products – Flushing things like contact lenses and disposable hygiene products adds to the problem.

6 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Microplastic Exposure

Want to cut down on microplastics without making life harder? Try these easy swaps:

1. Ditch Plastic Water Bottles 🚫💧

Switch to a glass or stainless steel reusable bottle and fill it with filtered tap water. Bottled water has twice the microplastic levels of tap water.(Plus, it makes you look fancy.)

2. Filter Your Tap Water 🚰

A good carbon-block filter or reverse osmosis system can significantly reduce microplastics in your drinking water. Your body will thank you.

3. Rethink Your Tea Bags 🍵

Those silky, pyramid-shaped tea bags? They’re often made of plastic. Go for loose-leaf tea or unbleached paper tea bags instead. No one wants a side of plastic with their chamomile.

4. Use Glass or Metal Food Containers 🍽️

Plastic food containers can leach microplastics, especially when heated. Store food in glass, stainless steel, or silicone instead. Your leftovers deserve better.

5. Skip the Plastic Cutting Boards 🔪

Plastic cutting boards shed microplastics into your food. Try wood or bamboo alternatives—they’re just as durable and much safer. Plus, they make your kitchen look Instagram-worthy.

6. Reduce Single-Use Plastics 🛍️

Bring your own grocery bags, reusable straws, and food containers to cut down on plastic waste. You’ll feel like an eco-warrior every time you say, “No bag, thanks.”

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Plastics have been around for only 70 years, yet they don’t biodegrade like natural materials. Instead, they break into smaller and smaller pieces, ending up in:

• Our oceans – It takes up to 500 years for plastic to degrade in seawater.

• Our food chain – Fish, plants, and animals absorb microplastics, which then make their way onto our plates.

• Our air – Microplastics are now found in the very air we breathe.

While we can’t eliminate plastic completely, we can take small steps to reduce our exposure—and that’s a great place to start.

Final Thoughts

The idea of consuming a credit card’s worth of plastic each week is unsettling—but the good news is, you can take action. Even small changes, like using a glass water bottle or switching to a wooden cutting board, can make a difference.

So, pick a few of these tips and start today—your body (and the planet) will thank you!