A study from the Department of Medicine at Danube Private University in Austria has found that drinking water from plastic bottles can increase blood pressure. This effect is linked to microplastics entering the bloodstream. The study showed that participants who avoided fluids in plastic bottles had significantly lower blood pressure.
Conducted by researchers at Danube Private University, the study found that microplastics, small particles found in food and water, are a health concern. These particles have been previously linked to various health issues, including heart problems, hormone imbalances, and cancer. The new study, published in the journal Microplastics, identified a relationship between microplastics from plastic bottles and elevated blood pressure levels.
“Remarkable trends were observed. The results of the study suggest, for the first time, that a reduction in plastic use could potentially lower blood pressure, probably due to the reduced volume of plastic particles in the bloodstream,” the team wrote in the study, as reported by the New York Post.
The researchers believe that the plastic particles present in the bloodstream could be directly contributing to higher blood pressure. They hypothesize that reduced plastic consumption might contribute to lower blood pressure.
“Based on the findings, indicating a reduction in blood pressure with decreased plastic consumption, we hypothesize that plastic particles present in the bloodstream might contribute to elevated blood pressure,” they further stated.
The study concluded that to potentially lower blood pressure, beverages packed in plastic bottles should be avoided. It follows earlier findings that humans ingest about 5 grams of microplastics through fluids packaged in bottles every week.
Among the recommended methods to prevent microplastics from entering the body, boiling and filtering tap water were identified as effective. These measures can reduce the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics by nearly 90 percent.
The study emphasizes the importance of reducing plastic consumption to improve health outcomes. By avoiding beverages packed in plastic bottles and taking steps to filter and purify tap water, individuals can potentially decrease their intake of harmful microplastics. -(ToI)
