Fruit May Combat Toxic Effects Of Microplastics In The Body

Antioxidant substances found in fruit, vegetables, grains and even wine could combat some of the potentially harmful effects of microplastics on the reproductive system, research suggests.

Called anthocyanins, these “flavanoids” give a wide range of natural foods and flowers their color. Purple, red, blue and black foods like berries, black beans and sweet potatoes are particularly rich sources of the compounds.

Research in mice and rats shows they may help counteract some of the damage the now ubiquitous microplastics may do to sperm, testes and ovarian tissue.

The pollutants — which make their way into the environment through everything from coffee cups to tumble dryers — have been found all over the planet. From the deepest undersea trenches to the human brain, microplastics and even-smaller nanoplastics are all around us — including in the food we eat. What’s more, it doesn’t break down easily so it accumulates in the body over time.

As we sit at the top of the food chain, we likely face significant risks from this pollution, according to scientists from Finland-China Food and Health Network.

Microplastics And Health

A growing body of research shows the harmful effects microplastics can have on humans. Although scientists are still figuring out exactly if and how they interact with the body, they’ve been found pretty much everywhere. They’ve also been linked to numerous health issues from metabolic disorders to low sperm count.

Previous studies have suggested a particular anthocyanin called cyanidin-3-glucoside might help protect against microplastic toxicity. This is one of over 700 known types of anthocyanin, which are widely available and have few side effects when found in foods.

Calling the potential reproductive damage caused by microplastics an “urgent issue in need of resolution,” scientists from China, Finland and Canada combed through scientific literature to find more evidence for the potential role of anthocyanins.

Microplastics And Reproductivity

Microplastics can cross the blood-testis barrier and cause inflammation. Certain anthocyanins have been found to enhance this barrier and improve things like sperm count. Lab studies have linked anthocyanins to improved sperm quality and reduced testicular damage in mice who had previously been exposed to microplastics. They also seem to help protect Leydig cells, which produce testosterone.

In women, certain chemicals found in microplastics may reduce the levels of some hormones by inflaming ovarian tissue. In mice, anthocyanins appear to protect this tissue and help restore normal levels of hormones including estrogen.

The scientists hope their paper will help crystalise and raise awareness of the potential of these flavanoids to combat some of the ill-effects of microplastics. They caution more research is needed to better understand exactly how anthocyanins actually interact with microplastics.

The experimental studies they reviewed took place on rodents, which may not necessarily translate to positive results in humans. Nonetheless, anthocyanins are “emerging as a promising candidate” in the “search for natural compounds” to counteract the harmful effects of microplastics in humans.

The researchers wrote in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis: “Understanding these mechanisms can offer valuable insights into the development of anthocyanin-based therapeutic interventions to protect human reproductive health from environmental contaminants” like microplastics.