As we all know, plastic exposure is a major modern health concern. With microplastics showing up everywhere from Himalayan sea salt to chewing gum, it would be easy to spiral into a state of resigned abandon. But one new observational study is giving us hope: It turns out that by taking a mindful approach to reducing our plastic exposure, we might be able to lower our body’s load of plastic-linked chemicals in as little as one week.
“We’ve known for years that plastic-packaged and processed foods drive urinary phthalate and bisphenol levels. What the trial confirms is the timeframe — seven days is fast enough to see a measurable shift,” explains Dr. Paul Savage, founder and Chief Medical Officer of MDLifespan, who was not involved in the study. “That matters clinically because it shows the body isn’t locked into these exposures; it’s actively clearing them when the source stops.”
And since exposure to plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, BPS, and phthalates have been linked in clinical research to health risks like endocrine disruption1 and even increased risk of cancer2, this new study helps assuage some of our fears. In essence, the study’s message is that it’s not too late — by reducing our exposure to plastic, we may enjoy better longevity and healthspan moving forward.
One Week Makes a Difference When It Comes to Plastic-Linked Chemicals in the Body
The new study conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia and published in Nature Medicine was composed of two parts3. First, a trial team analyzed blood, urine, and nasal samples from 211 healthy adults, finding that all of them had high levels of plastic chemicals in their bodies. Data gathered from interviews seemed to show that highly processed, packaged, and canned foods and beverages were significant contributors to levels of these chemicals.
Next, the researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial of 60 individuals from the original study. This trial sought to explore the effects of reducing plastic contamination in diet and lifestyle by replacing food and beverages, kitchenware, and personal care products with low-plastic alternatives.
At the end of the seven-day intervention, all trial groups showed a reduction in urinary plastic chemical levels, with phthalates decreasing by more than 44 percent and bisphenols like BPA and BPS dropping by more than half.
“Our results showed [that] strictly adhering to a diet of food which has not touched plastic, whether that is during production or packaging, can reduce plastic chemicals in our body in as little as a week,” said principal investigator and senior author Clinical Professor Michaela Lucas in a press release4.
More Testing Is Required to Draw Clear Conclusions
Despite some inspiring results, it’s important not to jump to conclusions with regards to this small but promising trial.
“Lower urine metabolites mean the kidneys are eliminating something, but that alone doesn’t prove total body burden dropped,” explains Savage. “It’s possible, even likely, that some of what we’re seeing reflects the rapid clearance of recently absorbed chemicals rather than a net reduction in tissue storage. The seven-day window is too short to know whether deep compartments (fat, bone) are shifting.”
That said, he continued, “sustained reductions at six months in my own TPE work suggests the story runs deeper than acute clearance.”
Lucas herself added that while the results are indeed promising, it’s impossible to draw a direct connection to possible health benefits of reducing plastic exposure. “If this also carries major health benefits is something that’s currently under further investigation,” she says.
Alex LeBeau, PhD, MPH, CIH, Toxicologist and Certified Industrial Hygienist and Owner of Exposure Consulting in Orlando, FL, agrees with this assessment and counsels caution in jumping to conclusions.
“While I have no doubt that reducing plastic exposure would subsequently reduce plastic metabolites, it is important to contextualize this with clinical significance and if the findings are clinically meaningful,” he says.
Health Hazards of Plastic Chemicals
While it will take more research to know exactly how the reduction of plastic content affects our bodies, we do know that there are health risks associated with plastics. And more specifically, we know about the health risks of plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, BPS, and phthalates, which are just some of the more than 16,000 chemicals commonly used in the manufacture of plastics.
Research has linked BPA exposure to endocrine disruption5, reproductive issues6, and increased risk of cancer, all of which are risks that led the EU to ban its use in food contact products in 20247. In the United States, some strides are being made — the FDA forbade the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups in 2023, and more than 30 states regulate BPA in some way. Still, BPA remains legal for use overall in food contact applications.
Plus, we’re not necessarily going in the right direction when looking for BPA alternatives. BPS is a common replacement that is frequently deemed a safer alternative, but studies suggest a different story. A study published in 2020 in Nutrients to have “comparable or worse” hormonal effects as compared to BPA8. Phthalates, meanwhile, are known endocrine disruptors that a 2021 study in Healthcare characterized as “detrimental to human health9.”
If these and other chemicals remain permissible in the U.S., it’s in large part because, as Lucas explains, we do not yet know what a “safe” level of plastic in the body is.
“We do know that plastic chemicals are harmful to humans, and the health burden has and will increase over time unless we intervene,” she says. “This trial has delivered a message of hope that we can actively reduce plastic chemical levels in our bodies, but [it] is linked to significant changes in the way we produce and package our food.”
How to Reduce Your Plastic Exposure
Here’s the thing — while we can debate back and forth forever on the direct health implications of this study, it’s never a bad day to start minimizing your reliance on plastic. Given the known health hazards of plastic-associated chemicals, not to mention the impact of plastic pollution on the planet, reducing your plastic exposure is always a good thing. And the study results help highlight some of the most effective ways to do so.
Avoid Highly-Processed Foods in Plastic Packaging
The study authors zeroed in on highly-processed foods as one of the major sources of plastic-associated chemical contamination.
“Groups 1, 2, and 4 (all of whom got low-plastic food) saw the biggest drops in MnBP, MBzP, and BPA,” notes Savage. “The food channel is the heavyweight.”
The takeaway? Opt for minimally processed foods that are sold without packaging — particularly plastic wrap, plastic containers, or plastic-lined tin cans.
Minimize Plastic Outside the Kitchen, Too
Personal care products like body cleansers, lotions, hair care, and deodorants were a secondary vector of exposure. Reducing plastic packaging in this category “moved the needle on phthalates but not bisphenols,” explains Savage.
Whenever possible, choose personal care products in plastic-free packaging, like metal or glass containers — or source your personal care products from no-waste shops where you can fill your own reusable glass containers.
Upgrade Your Food Storage
Changing up the way you store food at home is another great way to reduce your exposure. Choose glass or stainless steel food storage containers, and avoid microwaving anything in containers made of or covered in plastic. You can even invest in appliances made without plastic (like blenders and air fryers) to help minimize contamination.
Perfect Is the Enemy of Good
Of course, despite our best efforts, it’s impossible to completely mitigate plastic exposure in today’s world.
“We are exposed to plastic every day,” says LeBeau. “While the authors tried to control for plastic exposure (e.g., replacing plastic food containers with non-plastic items), they could not completely control for those exposures. For example, water main pipes are routinely composed of plastic and may, depending on composition, release plastic components. Additionally, I do not see that the authors controlled for medical devices made of plastic.”
But above all, it’s essential to reduce the urge to make perfect the enemy of good. “None of this requires perfection,” says Savage. “The study’s maintained energy intake shows you’re not replacing meals with expensive alternatives — you’re just choosing the same foods in cleaner formats.”
Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3823132/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7351345/
- http://nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04324-7
- https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2026/april/research-shows-fast-and-effective-way-to-reduce-plastics-in-body
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6864600/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671506/
- https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety-news/commission-adopts-ban-bisphenol-food-contact-materials-2024-12-19_en
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7071457/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157593/
