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Enter.... Microplastics.
These tiny plastic particles are now found everywhere. They are in our water, beverages, food, food containers, air, and now they are inside our bodies. A recent study found microplastics in the bloodstream of 80% of participants. They’ve been detected in lungs, placentas, and even in the brains of mice. Unfortunately, they don’t just hang out quietly. They cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and can disrupt growth and hormone function. All of these directly affect athletic performance, health, immunity and longevity.
Why This Matters for Athletes
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Slower recovery: Microplastics can increase systemic inflammation, slowing healing and impairing muscle repair. It can even cause fatigue during higher intensity activities.
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Hormonal disruption: They can mimic or block key hormones like estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and growth hormone. These are all vital for strength, endurance, and mental focus.
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Gut health damage: These plastics may alter the gut microbiome, affecting digestion and nutrient absorption. They may even be causing any bloating and gas you experience.
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Cardiovascular risk: Early research links microplastic exposure to a higher risk of heart disease and build up of arterial plaque.
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Lowered immunity: Chronic exposure may weaken immune response, making you more prone to illness.
The Longevity Factor
Some studies show that microplastics may play a role in the development of diseases such as cancer, neuro-degeneration, and infertility. Athletes who prioritize performance today should also consider how these environmental toxins may impact quality of life and healthspan decades from now.
“Microplastics may represent a novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease and systemic inflammation.”
The New England Journal of Medicine, 2024
So What Can You Do?
While you can’t eliminate all microplastic exposure, you can take meaningful steps to reduce your daily intake. This starts in your kitchen!
You can drink from glass instead of plastic, use refillable water bottles, and most importantly trade in plastic utensils, containers and cookware for plastic free options. Nonstick pans, plastic containers, and utensils often leach microplastics directly into the food you cook. And when those plastics are heated, the exposure multiplies.
I've been turning my kitchen into a plastic free zone, step by step. My favorite trustworthy brand is Caraway. I only recommend products I trust. Caraway's cookware is ceramic coated and all food storage sets are free from PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, and other toxic chemicals. They're made with the purpose of improving our health and hence our high-performance lifestyle. And as a bonus.... they’re gorgeous! Functional and Fun...um yes please! It even makes cooking more fun.
Bottom Line
Every choice you make matters. While we typically focus on our food choices, I suggest beginning to focus on how you cook your food as well. Avoiding plastics wherever you can is a powerful step toward protecting your health, performance, and future. While we won't be able to eliminate them completely, we can significantly decrease our exposure by being aware and making small changes.
Stay strong. Stay smart. Stay plastic-free(ish).
-Jenn
References:
Leslie HA, et al. "Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood." Environment International. 2022.
"Environmental health impacts of microplastics exposure on structural organization levels in the human body" Science of The Total Environment.2023
New England Journal of Medicine. "Microplastics and Cardiovascular Risk." NEJM. 2024.
Sharma S, Chatterjee S. "Microplastic pollution, a threat to marine ecosystem and human health." Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2017.
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