Recent studies suggest that everyday products, particularly bottled water, may be a major contributor to the accumulation of toxic microplastics in the human brain. Experts claim that simple lifestyle changes can reduce exposure by up to 90%.
According to the Daily Mail on March 4, a team of Canadian researchers found that replacing bottled water with filtered tap water can lower annual microplastic intake from approximately 90,000 particles to just 4,000.
This study follows alarming findings that up to 7 grams of microplastics—equivalent to the amount of plastic used to make a small spoon—can accumulate in the human brain.
Notably, American researchers reported that the brains of dementia patients contained three to five times more microplastics than those of individuals without the condition. The study highlights that microplastic particles can be as small as 2 micrometers (0.002mm) and can enter the body through food, water, and air.
Dr. Brandon Lu, an internal medicine specialist at the University of Toronto, stated, “Bottled water is one of the primary sources of microplastic exposure. Switching to tap water can reduce intake by nearly 90%, making it one of the easiest ways to limit exposure.”
Researchers also pointed out that the use of plastic tea bags and certain food heating methods significantly influence microplastic consumption.
Dr. Lu warned, “Heating food in plastic containers, especially in a microwave, can release large amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics. Using glass or stainless steel containers for food storage and heating is a safer alternative.”
The study, published in the journal Brain Medicine, follows previous research in Nature Medicine, which analyzed the brain tissues of 52 deceased individuals from 2016 to 2024. The findings showed that people who died in 2024 had 50% higher levels of microplastics in their brains compared to those who died in 2016, indicating a sharp increase in human exposure due to worsening environmental pollution.
Researchers from the University of New Mexico detected higher concentrations of microplastics in the brains of dementia patients. While the direct impact on brain health remains unclear, scientists suspect a possible link between microplastic accumulation and cognitive decline, warranting further investigation.
Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a psychiatry expert at the University of Ottawa, emphasized, “The rapid increase in microplastic accumulation in the brain over just eight years is shocking. It coincides with the escalating presence of microplastics in our environment.”
For microplastics to reach the brain, they must penetrate the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. Research indicates that microplastics may have the ability to breach this barrier, raising concerns about their long-term health effects.
While the full impact of microplastics on human health remains uncertain, scientists are increasingly alarmed by their potential risks. A recent study found that a single plastic tea bag can release billions of microplastic particles. Moreover, microplastics have been detected not only in the gut but also in semen, highlighting their widespread presence in the human body.
According to the Mayo Clinic, dementia is a collection of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form. Dementia patients may experience memory loss, communication difficulties, spatial awareness issues, confusion, and behavioral changes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, with 500,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. alone this year.
Until now, dementia prevention and treatment efforts have primarily focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, this latest research suggests that reducing plastic use could become an additional strategy in the fight against cognitive decline.
