Microplastics in Plant-Based Diets: Potential Risks and Health Consequences

Introduction: The widespread contamination of the environment by microplastics has become a growing concern. This work examines the evidence of edible plants and plant-based food contamination and the pathways through which microplastics can enter plants, focusing on fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant-derived products via contaminated water, soil, and atmospheric deposition.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using search criteria to identify relevant studies published up to 2024. Databases such as PubMed and Web of Science were searched using keywords including "microplastic," "edible plants," "plant-based food," "human health," and "agricultural uptake." A total of 20 articles were included for the analysis, providing data on microplastic uptake by edible plants, plant-based food, and potential human health implications.

Results: Significant quantities of microplastics were detected in fruits, vegetables, and grains consumed by humans. The hypothesis that microplastics can harm the nutritional value of plant-based foods and potentially harm human health was supported by evidence. Additionally, organic pollutants and heavy metals accumulate in plant tissues, potentially entering through microplastics. Findings demonstrated that microplastics infiltrated agricultural systems through contaminated water, polluted air, and absorption from contaminated soils. Proposed biological impacts included inflammation, cytotoxicity, and disruptions to gut microbiota. Microplastics were also proposed to interfere with nutrient absorption and bioavailability, affecting the nutritional quality of edible plants and plant-based foods.

Conclusions: Current evidence shows that edible plants and plant-based foods are contaminated by microplastics and that can pose a human health risk. This work highlights the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessments and regulatory frameworks to address microplastic contamination in edible plants and plant-based foods. Future research should focus on developing mitigation strategies and exploring the long-term health impacts of microplastic ingestion. Heightened awareness and coordinated efforts among scientists, policymakers, and the agricultural sector are required.