These vegetables can protect your body against microplastic damage, suggests a new study

If it seems like a weekly event that may harm a new product with microplastic filled your health, you are right. Between tea bags, lipstick, detergent and gums (among many other things) it is difficult to avoid these small toxic particles. But there is a glimpse of good news: a study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis Discovered that colorful fruit and vegetables can fight the negative effects of microplastics in the body.

Fruit and vegetables are known for their abundant vitamins and minerals, but the study investigated how anthocyans – natural connections in colorful fruit and vegetables – can protect the reproductive systems against microplastic damage. In particular, researchers investigated how anthocyanins interact with steroid receptors (protein molecules in a cell binding to hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) who play essential roles in reproductive health, says Angelo Falcone, MD and a Falcute, and a Falcute and Forteurness. “This is not an original research with experiments, but rather an extensive overview of existing literature because the study authors have looked at how microplastics disrupt our endocrine system and reproductive health, then assessed how anthocyanins can prevent these effects and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”

What is particularly striking about this research is how it represents a crossing of environmental and nutritional medicine. “We cannot completely avoid microplastic exposure in today’s world because they are in our food, water and air, but we can use the protective power of colorful vegetable foods as part of our defense strategy,” says Falcone.

So which fruit and vegetables help fight microplastics – and how exactly do they do it? This is what doctors want you to know.

What are anthocyans?

Anthocyans are natural pigments that give fruit and vegetables their vibrant red, purple and blue color, says Falcone. “There are more than 700 varieties, but anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid (a group of connections known for antioxidant properties) found in foods such as blueberries, blackberries, red cabbage and purple corn.”

These connections are not only responsible for beautiful colors – they are also biologically active molecules that interact with different systems in the body to promote overall health. “Anthocyanins are among the most powerful natural antioxidants that we can consume through food because they neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, which can reduce oxidative stress that can damage cells, proteins and DNA,” explains Falcone.

Moreover, because of the powerful antioxidant properties of Anthocyanins, they are recognized for their ability to protect the body against inflammation and various stress-related disorders, such as heart disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, which would otherwise be caused by free radicals, says Nicholas Church, a general-doctor and founder.

How do anthocyans in fruit and vegetables prevent the adverse effects of microplastics?

First, a microplastic primer: scientists are still investigating exactly how microplastics deal with the human body, but at a basic level the toxic properties cause inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are responsible for damaging cells and tissues.

Microplastics also function as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal systems that regulate reproduction, metabolism and development. “However, most of the ability of microplastic is the ability to cross protective barriers in our body, including the blood testis barrier and placenta barrier, so that they can gather in reproductive organs, where they can immediately damage reproductive cells and disrupt normal fertility and development,” says FalCare.

Fortunately, anthocyanins work through various mechanisms to protect against microplastic damage. First and foremost, anthocyans are powerful antioxidants, which means that they enter the oxidative stress when Microplastics enter the body, so that the risk of cellular damage is minimized, Falcone says. They also reduce microplastic induced inflammation, which ultimately reduces the risk of gastrointestinal problems, cancer and organ damage, the church adds.

In addition, anthocyanins can interact with steroid receptors to regulate hormone functions that can disrupt microplastics, according to Falcone. “In essence, Anthocyans offer a multi -layered defense system against microplastics.”

Which foods are rich in anthocyans?

The richest sources of Anthocyans are deeply colored vegetables and vegetables. “Berries are superstars, especially blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries and bilberries, but other excellent sources are black rice, purple corn, red cabbage, purple sweet potatoes, red grapes, pomegranates and açaiberries,” says Falcone. “The general rule is, the deeper and lively the purple, blue or red color, the higher the anthocyanin content.”

It is also worth noting that every colorful fruit and vegetables contain slightly different types of anthocyans, each offering its own unique health benefit, so Falcone says it is important to eat the rainbow.

Regarding the amount of anthocyans that you must consume to enjoy their benefits, there is no standardized recommendation. However, research suggests that focusing on 50 milligrams of anthocyans per day can help reduce oxidative stress. According to Falcone, that translates into about a cup of blueberries or half a cup of blackberries.

Remember that consistency is the key. “The benefits of anthocyans are usually cumulative, so in the long term, consistent intake (weeks to months) is necessary to see measurable effects when combating the damage by microplastics,” says Church. “Consider Anthocyans as a continuous protective strategy instead of a one -time remedy,” adds Falcone.

What are the extra health benefits of Anthocyans?

In addition to their role in combating microplastics, studies suggest that anthocyanins support the health of the heart by improving the function of blood vessels and reducing inflammation. They also show promising when promoting the health of the brain, so that cognitive decline may be delayed. Some studies even indicate that anthocyanins can reduce the risk of skin cancer, colorectal cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease.

Moreover, the powerful connection supports reproductive health in both men and women, with recent research that indicates that they balance hormone levels and protect reproductive organs against oxidative damage. “In men, certain anthocyans seem to protect the testicular tissue and maintain healthy testosterone production, and in women anthocyanins can help protect ovarian function,” says Falcone. “What is fascinating, however, is how anthocyanin steroid receptors seem to modulate – the cellular components that respond to reproductive hormones – that help maintain the right hormonal signaling.”