This Fermented Food Might Help Flush Microplastics Out of the Body

Life’s So Plastic: By now, it’s pretty well established that nanoplastics, which form as larger plastics break down, are turning up inside human organs after entering the body through food and drinking water. Finding biological ways to clear them out has been a major research priority, and scientists at the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea may have found a promising lead.

The Study: Researchers tested a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi to determine how well it binds to nanoplastics. Under simulated intestinal conditions, the kimchi strain held a 57% adsorption (binding) rate while a comparison bacterium dropped to just 3%. Mice given the probiotic also excreted more than double the nanoplastics as untreated mice.

The Takeaway: There’s evidence that a bacterium present in kimchi can grab onto nanoplastics in the gut and help move them out of the body. Adding kimchi to your regular food rotation is a pretty low-effort (and tasty) thing to try while this research develops. 

Keep in Mind: The study was conducted in mice under lab conditions, and the researchers are clear that human applications are still in early stages. Kimchi isn’t a magic microplastic fix, but it could be a start.