How Fibre Helps Your Body Remove Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that enter your body through the food you eat, the water you drink and the air that you breathe. Most of these microplastics are not absorbed by your body and simply pass through your gut. However, some of these microplastics, the smallest ones called nanoplastics can cross your gut barrier. This is especially true if your gut barrier lining is currently weakened.

The good news is that the food you eat can help reduce the amount of nanoplastics which pass through your gut barrier. Fibre can do this by speeding up the transit of food in your gut. This gives less time for the microplastics to be absorbed. Also, by adding bulk to your stool which helps to clean out non-absorbed particles. Thirdly, fibre can form a gel which traps particles. Finally, fibre supports the health of your gut barrier which makes it harder for microplastics to enter.

What type of fibre is the best?

All fibres promote the health of your gut and help to reduce the risk of microplastics entering your body. It is recommended that adults consume between 25-38g of dietary fibre a day. The best strategy is to make each meal half or more of plant-based foods like wholegrains, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds and legumes and beans. Also, adding snacks like vegetable sticks with hummus, or a handful of nuts, a tin of baked beans or roasted chickpeas.

Corn Thins slices are a great wholegrain containing food and are a source of dietary fibre. These corn cakes are delicious as a snack and as part of a meal. Check out Corn Thins extensive recipe section for all the inspiration that you need: www.cornthins.com

Take home message: Fibre plays such an important role in keeping your body working optimally. An extra reason to make sure you are hitting your dietary fibre needs each day is the potential benefits to reduce the amount of microplastics that your body absorbs.