Eating tiny plastic particles through food and drinks can affect glucose metabolism and damage organs such as the liver. The findings of the study, presented at the annual conference of the US Nutrition Society “Nutrition 2025” in Orlando, raise concerns about potential dangers of human health.

As the plastic breaks down, it forms microparticles (below 5 mm) and nanoparticles (below 100 Nm), which can enter the food chain and end up with foods consumed by humans. Studies estimate that a person can consume about 40,000 to 50,000 microplastic particles per year through food and beverages, with some considering that the report can reach 10 million particles per year.

The study

In this study, the researchers focused on the report through oral consumption. They gave male mice for twelve weeks a typical rodent diet with a daily dose of polystyrene nanoplasts. Polystyrene is a widely used plastic usually found in food packaging and products. The researchers selected a daily dose of 60 mg nanoparticles per kilo of body weight, based on human exposure levels and based on previous studies in mice that showed health impact on similar quantities.

Compared to the control group that did not receive polystyrene, Mice that consumed nanoplasts exhibited systematic glucose intolerance and increased alanine (ALT) aminotransferase (ALT), which indicates liver damage.

Also in mice consumed polystyrene, the researchers noticed Increasing bowel permeability and increased endotoxin levelscontributing to hepatic dysfunction.

“Our findings justify further studies to help inform politics about small and nanoplastics,” said Amy Parkharst, a researcher at the University of California in Davis.

Researchers continue to study the impact of nanoplasts on other tissues.