There’s been quite a bit of discussion recently about our consumption of plastics—yes, the kind equivalent in size to a credit card. The latest research, while not exactly helping with your bank account, suggests that certain foods might actually help eliminate some of this plastic from our bodies.
Probiotic-rich foods have been around for ages, aimed at strengthening our gut’s defenses against toxic substances.
A new study from the Kimchi World Institute has investigated which strains of lactic acid bacteria found in kimchi, a beloved staple in South Korea, are not only beneficial for gut health but also effective at removing nanoplastics from our system.
The research team, led by Se Hee Lee and Tae Woong Woon, focused on isolating Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, a particular lactic acid bacterium present in kimchi.
They then tested how well CBA3656 could adsorb a common form of nanoplastic derived from polystyrene.
In their experiment, one group of mice was given CBA3656 while the other group was not. The fecal analysis revealed that the mice who received CBA3656 excreted over twice the amount of nanoplastics, suggesting that if the same occurs in humans, CBA3656 could help bind to and remove nanoplastics from our intestines.
As Senior Research Director Lee pointed out, “Microorganisms derived from traditional fermented foods show potential to tackle public health challenges related to plastic pollution.”
He also emphasized the goal of enhancing the scientific understanding of kimchi’s microbial resources to contribute to public health and tackle environmental issues.
The United Nations estimates that more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year. Nanoplastics, being even smaller than microplastics, can cause serious health problems for our internal organs.
These minuscule plastic particles tend to accumulate in critical areas like the brain, liver, and placenta, disrupting the fragile balance of gut microbiota.
Such disruptions can be linked to various health issues, including inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. When harmful bacteria outnumber beneficial ones, it can lead to significant dysbiosis, increasing the likelihood of diabetes and colorectal cancer.
Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases appear to have higher levels of microplastics in their stool compared to those who are unaffected, and these diseases are on the rise globally—growing from 3.7 million cases in 1990 to over 6.8 million by 2017.
Our gut generally tries to defend itself against toxins like plastics, but without probiotics—either from supplements or a diet rich in fermented foods—microplastics can alter our friendly bacteria’s chemistry and diminish their numbers, according to a 2022 study from Spain.
The findings from the Kimchi Institute align with earlier research suggesting that probiotics might help neutralize some of the toxicity from microplastics and may even help in their removal.
Experts from Gutsy, an Australian fermentation group, explain how these probiotic strains, like CBA3656, can “literally attach to microplastics through their surface proteins, attracting them like little magnets.” This process might reduce inflammation and alleviate toxic burden.
They advocate for eating raw, unpasteurized fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi, preferably stored in glass, not plastic, containers.
Starting with just one tablespoon daily can help your microbiome adjust. You can mix it into dishes like eggs or stir-fries, or pair it with fiber-rich foods.
The vibrant culture sitting in your fridge might be a helpful ally amidst the plastic dilemma of today. However, the fate of those nanoplastics after they leave your body still remains a bit unclear. For now, consider incorporating more fermented foods into your diet.
