Study warns microplastics can infiltrate the brain and raise the risk of cognitive problems
By avagrace // 2025-01-29
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  • A Chinese study reveals microplastics can enter the brain, potentially increasing a person's risks of stroke, depression and dementia by triggering blood clots and restricting blood flow.
  • Microplastics, found in food, water, air and everyday products, have been detected in human brain tissue, with their harmful mechanisms now better understood.
  • Research on mice showed microplastic exposure led to blood clots, cognitive decline and motor impairment, raising concerns about similar effects in humans.
  • Plastic-based teabags release billions of microplastic particles when brewed, with even paper teabags often containing plastic coatings, making avoidance difficult.
  • Experts recommend reducing microplastic exposure by switching to loose-leaf tea, pre-washing teabags and avoiding reheating tea with the bag in the cup.
A groundbreaking study by Chinese researchers has revealed that microplastics can infiltrate the brain, potentially increasing a person's risks of stroke, depression and even dementia. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are everywhere. They have been found in food, water, air and even everyday products. Scientists have discovered that these particles are small enough to enter the brain’s micro-circulation, where they trigger an immune response that leads to the formation of deadly blood clots. These clots restrict blood flow, a known cause of vascular dementia, and have been linked to neurological impairment in mice. (Related: Microplastics linked to higher risk of heart attack, stroke and early death.) The study, published in Science Advances, found that mice injected with microplastics developed clots and displayed signs of cognitive decline, such as difficulty navigating mazes and reduced motor function. While the research was conducted on mice, the implications for humans are deeply concerning. Microplastics have already been detected in human brain tissue, but until now, the mechanism by which they cause harm was unclear. This study sheds light on how these particles could be contributing to the rise in dementia cases worldwide.

Teabags filled with billions of microplastic particles

One of the most shocking revelations is the role of teabags in this crisis. A 2024 study found that brewing tea with a plastic-based teabag releases approximately 1.2 billion microplastic particles per milliliter of tea. While some tea companies claim their bags are made from paper or plant-based materials, the reality is murkier. Even paper teabags may contain plastic coatings or seals, making it nearly impossible to avoid microplastics entirely. The problem isn't limited to tea, and the discovery of microplastics in human intestines, blood and even sperm, it is very likely other kinds of food products and even water could have microplastics in them that are contaminating human bodies. A 2022 study linked microplastics to chronic inflammation in the brain, while another found that dementia patients had ten times more microplastics in their brains than healthy individuals. While the science is still evolving, there are steps people can take to reduce their exposure to microplastics, including switching to drinking loose-leaf tea, which entirely eliminates the risk of microplastics from teabags. There are options that experts suggest, like choosing tea brands that use paper teabags, pre-washing teabags in room-temperature water before brewing to help reduce microplastic release, and avoiding reheating tea with the bag still in the cup. Visit Microplastics.news for more on the spread of microplastics and how they affect the body. Watch this episode of "The HighWire with Del Bigtree" discussing studies that link microplastics to serious health problems. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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