New Study Reveals One Food That Can Help Your Body Get Rid of Microplastics

Maintaining a healthy diet can sometimes seem like a full-time job. From brainstorming fun recipes you won’t tire of and planning nutritious meals to navigating the endless aisles of the grocery store and being a mindful label reader, making sure the foods you eat are genuinely “good for you” takes time and effort. And even with all that dedication, you may still be consuming things that could be negatively impacting your body behind the scenes, like microplastics.

But what if we told you there’s a popular food that could help eliminate the microplastics you’ve been unknowingly consuming? A new study reveals what this food is, and you may already have it at home.

What Are Microplastics and How Are They Harmful?

Microplastics are exactly what they sound like—tiny plastics that are up to five millimeters in length—and they’re essentially unavoidable. According to Stanford Medicine, roughly 10 to 40 million metric tons of microplastics are dispersed into the environment each and every year—and that stat could double by the time 2040 rolls around. Most microplastics come from larger plastics that decompose as time goes by, while others are incorporated into everyday products like cosmetics, cleansers, and toothpaste.

Needless to say, microplastics are everywhere. They can appear in food, beverages, clothing, and even the air. When microplastics are ingested, they can accumulate in reproductive organs and brain tissue, sounding major alarm bells about how they can potentially impact our health. (Stanford Medicine notes that adults ingest “the equivalent of one credit card per week in microplastics.”)

What’s even more terrifying? A growing body of research indicates that our exposure to microplastics could be hazardous. Studies have found that microplastics can make birds and fish more susceptible to infections.

But now, there’s something you can do about it—and it involves adding a tasty fermented food to your diet.

Kimchi Could Help Eliminate Nanoplastics From the Body

Kimchi may help eliminate nanoplastics from your body, according to a new study published in the May 2026 issue of Bioresource Technology, per Phys.org. Nanoplastics are microplastics that come from debris in daily consumer products.

The research notes that the lactic acid bacterium found in kimchi aids in binding nanoplastics in the intestine, allowing them to stay together as they exit the body through bowel movements.

This isn’t the first time kimchi has been touted for its incredible health benefits. According to Cleveland Clinic, this fermented food promotes solid gut health, regular bowel movements, and improved cardiovascular wellness. It may also reduce your risk of colon cancer.

How to Incorporate Kimchi Into Your Diet

Kimchi is chock-full of fiber, an essential nutrient that keeps you fuller for longer. Because of this, kimchi can help manage hunger and kick pesky cravings to the curb.

The great thing about kimchi is its versatility. While kimchi serves as a tasty snack on its own, it’s also commonly enjoyed tossed into scrambled eggs, fried rice, or noodles. It’s even a tasty topping to a grain bowl, complete with quinoa, avocado, kale, hard-boiled eggs, and sesame seeds.