Fermented food can help expel nanoplastics from body
Scientists have studied how microplastics and nanoplastics affect our environment and bodies. Microplastics are larger than one micrometre, while nanoplastics are smaller. A new study shows that bacteria from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented dish, may help remove nanoplastics from the body. Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea discovered a microbe that attaches to nanoplastics in the gut. This allows the particles to be expelled safely in waste, preventing them from entering organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver.科學家們一直在研究微塑料和納米塑料對環境以及人體的影響。微塑料比一微米大，而納米塑料則比一微米小。一項新的研究顯示，來自韓國傳統發酵食品泡菜的細菌，可能有助於清除人體內的納米塑料。南韓世界泡菜研究所的研究人員發現了一種微生物，它能在腸道中附著在納米塑料上，讓這些顆粒隨著排泄物安全排出，避免進入大腦、心臟、腎臟和肝臟等器官。
Nanoplastics are a growing concern for doctors because their effects inside organs are still unknown. It is estimated that people consume up to 120,000 tiny plastic fragments each year. Some reports say our bodies may contain about 7 grams of plastic—the weight of a credit card. The Korean scientists hope their findings will reduce plastic buildup in humans. Lead researcher Dr. Se-hee Lee explained: “Microorganisms from traditional fermented foods could be a new biological way to solve this problem. We will continue to expand the scientific value of kimchi.”
納米塑料正日益受到醫學界的關注，因為它們在器官中的影響仍然未知。據估計，人們每年可能攝入多達十二萬個微小的塑料碎片。有些報導指出，我們的身體可能含有約七克塑料，相當於一張信用卡的重量。韓國科學家希望他們的研究成果能減少人體內塑料的累積。首席研究員李世熙博士表示：「來自傳統發酵食品的微生物，可能成為解決這一問題的新型生物方法。我們將持續拓展泡菜的科學價值。」
