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Single-use plastic items like straws, food packaging, synthetic clothes, plastic containers and disposable cutlery may be eating into your gut. A new study by Dr Ravindra Khaiwal and his team from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, has revealed that microplastics — plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres — can seriously damage the gut, disturb the body’s healthy bacteria and weaken the immune system.
The study, ‘Impacts of Microplastics on Gut Health: Current status and future directions,’ was published in the ‘Indian Journal of Gastroenterology.’ It explains how broken-down plastic particles are now found everywhere, in drinking water, fish, seafood, milk, salt, packaged foods, bottled water, and even the air we breathe. Once inside the body, these particles stick to the intestinal wall, causing inflammation, infections and digestive problems.
The findings show that microplastics reduce good gut bacteria while promoting harmful ones, weaken the intestinal lining and allow toxins to leak into the bloodstream. Over time, this can affect the liver, kidneys and may even trigger inflammation and cancers. Researchers warn that, on an average, a human being ingests microplastics equal to the size of a credit card every week.
Dr Khaiwal and his team have even suggested simple precautions like avoiding drinking water from plastic bottles, not pouring hot tea or coffee into plastic cups, choosing fresh food over packaged or processed items, and reducing single-use plastic in daily life. He answers some questions about the study.
“We studied the impact of microplastics on gut health by looking at evidence from animal models and human samples. Alarmingly, microplastics have been detected in human faeces and even gallstones. This suggests that they are not just passing through but may be accumulating and interacting with our organs. The findings reinforce the urgent need for public awareness and stricter policies to reduce plastic pollution,” says Dr Khaiwal.
Microplastics are commonly defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres, often invisible to the naked eye. They are categorised scientifically into microplastics (1 micrometre to 5 millimetres) and nanoplastics (below 1 micrometre). “Microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastics or are released directly, such as microbeads in personal care products. Familiar everyday sources include single-use items like bottles, straws, food packaging; synthetic clothes (polyester, nylon) that shed fibres during washing, household items like plastic containers and disposable cutlery, processed foods and drinks such as seafood, bottled water, honey, sugar, beer, and even salt,” explains Dr Khaiwal.
At present, there are no clear symptoms unique to microplastic exposure. “However, rising cases of gut disorders, food intolerances and chronic inflammation may be linked to long-term environmental exposure like microplastics,” says Dr Khaiwal.
The doctor advises opting for reusable bottles, bags and cutlery instead of single-use plastics. “Limit bottled water, choose filtered tap water when safe. Avoid heating or storing food in plastic containers. Prefer natural fibres like cotton or linen over synthetic clothing. Reduce processed and packaged food; choose fresh produce when possible,” Dr Khaiwal advises. While individual actions are important, a lasting impact will only be seen when they are reinforced by strong national policies and global agreements, such as the Global Plastic Treaty, to curb plastic production and pollution at the source.
