Your Cart is Empty
Everyday use of plastic products generates tiny, nearly invisible plastic particles that may affect human health when ingested or inhaled. To address this, researchers developed biodegradable plastics using plant-based starch instead of petroleum. But these may not be as safe or beneficial to health as initially believed. Prolonged exposure to starch-based microplastics indicates broad health impacts.
Plant-based plastics, often promoted as a greener alternative to petroleum-based plastics are derived from starches, such as those sourced from corn, rice, wheat, or potatoes. They are produced using plant-based materials rather than fossil fuel components. New research indicates that animals exposed to particles from these plant-based plastics experienced health issues, including liver damage and disruptions to their gut microbiome.
The experiment involved three groups of mice. The first group received regular feed, while the other two were given diets mixed with either low or high amounts of starch-based microplastics, adjusted to reflect average human daily intake. Over three months, scientists examined the mice’s organs, metabolic activities, and gut microbial diversity.
Mice subjected to the starch-based bioplastics showed liver and ovarian irregularities, metabolic disturbances, and gut microbiome disruptions similar to effects seen with petroleum-derived plastics.
The findings revealed that long-term exposure to starch-based microplastics triggers a wide range of health effects, notably disrupting circadian rhythms and impairing glucose and lipid metabolism. As one of the initial studies exploring the consequences of ingesting starch-based microplastics, further investigation is required to clarify how these biodegradable particles degrade within the body.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Long-Term Exposure to Environmentally Realistic Doses of Starch-Based Microplastics Suggests Widespread Health Effects
As we grow older, our brains undergo various changes that lead to cognitive decline. The acetylcholine-dependent neurotransmitter system slows with age, primarily causing older adults to struggle with concentration and working memory. It also contributes significantly to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Sugar sweetened drinks have faced criticism for years, with diet versions often viewed as safer. A new study ties both sugar-filled and artificially sweetened drinks to elevated chances of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the severe liver disorder previously named nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This occurs when fat accumulates in the livers of individuals who rarely or never drink alcohol.
Regular exercise keeps your body and brain sharp as you age. It preserves mobility, supports independence, and may slow cognitive decline. New research shows exercise reprograms the body at the molecular level, fundamentally transforming biological systems from the inside out.