Can Eating Yoghurt Reduce Microplastics?

Insidious and omnipresent, microplastics are now part of modern life. You are already absorbing plastic through water, packaging, clothes, printed receipts and even the air in your home or office. Shocking evidence is presented in a recent study, which estimates that humans may inhale up to 68,000 microplastic particles each day. 

These fragments wreak havoc in the body, residing in our tissues and thought to cause long-term inflammation and hormonal disruption. 

But there’s now a glimmer of hope as new research highlights specific probiotics that may help carry them out. 

Spoiler alert: this is not a detox trend, but rather exciting emerging scientific evidence worth exploring.

Microplastics are already inside you and they are probably staying there

Microplastics come from packaging, synthetic clothing, unfiltered tap water, processed food and house dust. 

Plastic particles are also released from car tyres as they wear, and heating or storing food in plastic containers may increase microplastic contamination. Even artificial grass can add to the problem. 

They are small enough to pass through the gut and lodge in organs and tissues, and they have now been found in human blood, lungs, breast milk and brain matter.

The bad news: Plastic may behave like a toxin

Once microplastics enter the body, the problem is that they are not broken down or digested. As a result, they can do one of many things, such as lodge in the intestinal lining, cross into the bloodstream and accumulate in tissue, as seen in many human studies. 

In one study, plastic particles were discovered inside arteries and linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Others found them in the brains of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. They were also found embedded in muscle tissue.

Global exposure has grown rapidly. Microplastic consumption has increased sixfold since 1990 and continues to rise. Most of an individual’s exposure comes from daily habits, not extreme pollution.

Most carry additives such as bisphenol A and phthalates. These are known to disrupt hormones and trigger inflammation.

Researchers are now linking microplastic exposure to many health crises, including neurotoxicity, immune dysfunction and cardiovascular issues. 

The mechanisms involve oxidative stress, DNA damage and cellular disruption. A study on human lung cells found that microplastics may trigger the body’s first line of defence (known as the innate immune system) by altering the way certain immune-related genes and proteins are switched on.

Orlando Bloom recently tried to ‘clean’ his blood to get rid of microplastics using a process called apheresis. Whether it worked or not is still up for debate amongst the scientific community.

Furthermore, there are currently no established medical treatments or clinical trials specifically for fully removing or "reversing" microplastics from human tissues and organs. 

What’s perhaps worse still from a medical perspective is that this damage builds insidiously and often without obvious symptoms at first.

Medical problems as a result of microplastic exposure are not about a one-off exposure, more so a steady accumulation and the ever-growing internal load that comes with it. 

The good news: Yoghurt-based probiotics offer a way out of the microplastics crisis

The topic of microplastics in the body can feel bleak. But scientists have now shown in both lab tests and animal studies that certain bacteria may help reduce the plastic load in the gut. Some of these strains are already found in fermented foods like yoghurt and sauerkraut.

Interestingly, the findings point to specific probiotic strains that could physically bind microplastic particles and stop them crossing into the body. Here’s how.

In 2025, a paper was published by researchers in Shanghai who screened 784 probiotic strains to test their ability to bind and remove microplastics. 

They used fluorescent polystyrene particles measuring just one-tenth of a micrometre. These mimic the scale of plastic particles most commonly ingested through food and water.

Only two strains performed consistently across different plastic types. These were Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88. In lab conditions, both formed strong biofilms and hydrophobic bonds with the plastic particles. This allowed them to trap the particles and prevent them from crossing the gut lining.

After identifying the top strains in vitro, the researchers tested them in live animals. Mice were given the probiotics orally for one week. They were then exposed to fluorescent polystyrene particles.

The results showed a 34% increase in microplastic excretion in the probiotic group. There was also a 67% reduction in plastic particles left behind in intestinal tissue.

Further analysis revealed reduced gut inflammation in the treated mice. Inflammatory markers such as Interleukin 6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha were significantly lower. This shows that the bacteria not only helped clear plastic but also protected the gut from the damage it can cause.

This is the first evidence that specific probiotic strains may support plastic elimination from the body and reduce its harmful effects on gut health.

Another study used a food model to measure how probiotic bacteria interact with bisphenol A. Researchers added BPA to milk and fermented it with two strains, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, to make yoghurt.

After the intervention period, yoghurt made with Lactobacillus plantarum showed a BPA reduction of 95.3%. The Lactobacillus acidophilus yoghurt showed a reduction of 90.7%.

Even in the early stages of fermentation, both strains had a significant effect. 

While this was not a gut-focused study, it  supports the wider idea that specific strains can physically bind and reduce plastic-related compounds.

Probiotics and microplastics: What recent findings add to the picture

In 2023, early studies had already begun exploring how probiotics might help reduce the harm caused by microplastics in the body. 

Since then, newer research has added more precision. In summary, the Teng et al. study published in 2025 identified two specific strains that helped mice excrete significantly more microplastics while also reducing inflammation. Meanwhile, the Moghaddam study showed that probiotics used in food fermentation could directly break down BPA in microplastic-contaminated dairy. 

These findings may now point to a targeted way to reduce plastic exposure through the gut.

Your gut is your internal filter

The gut does more than simply digest food, it decides what stays in the body and what gets passed out. When it is under pressure from microplastics, its ability to do that properly is somewhat reduced.

Exposure to microplastics affects microbial diversity, gut barrier strength and inflammatory balance. It can also affect how nutrients are absorbed, how the immune system responds and how well you bounce back after training, stress or illness.

Key takeaways: What helps the body manage plastic load

Avoiding plastic entirely is not realistic, but you can reduce how much your body absorbs and improve how well it clears what does get in.

Eat fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut. These help maintain microbial diversity and support gut lining strength.

Choose probiotic supplements that list strains such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. These are the strains shown to bind plastic particles in research.

Increase antioxidant intake through food. Dark leafy greens, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, seeds and berries help counteract oxidative stress caused by plastic exposure.

Switch to stainless steel or glass bottles for water and hot drinks. These materials are chemically stable and safe at all temperatures.

Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers: Heat increases the release of harmful compounds into your food. Use ceramic or glass instead.

Filter your tap water with a system designed to capture particles: Reverse osmosis and activated carbon are said to be the most effective at removing microplastics.

Choose fresh produce that is not wrapped in plastic: The less packaging your food comes into contact with, the better.

Avoid synthetic clothing when possible, especially for items worn close to the skin. Natural fibres such as cotton or bamboo release fewer plastic particles during wear and washing.

The bottom line

You are already being exposed to microplastics. That part is not up for debate. 

However, the impact they have on your health can be reduced with the right support.

The latest research shows that very specific probiotic strains can bind microplastics inside the gut, increase excretion and reduce gut inflammation. Others can remove chemical residues such as BPA from food before it is even eaten.

Although there are things you can do to reduce your exposure, this is not about trying to live in a bubble. It is about working with your biology, giving your body what it needs to handle what is coming in, and building defence.

Explore probiotic formulas and gut support at Healf, plus daily food tools to support your gut, help reduce your microplastic exposure and help your body stay ahead of the load.

Probiotics that support your gut barrier

Support your gut’s ability to handle daily plastic exposure with targeted strains that may help reduce your internal microplastic load.

Nordic Flora Probiotic Immune Health delivers two of the strains highlighted in the research: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. These are within the same species shown in studies to help bind microplastics and support gut clearance. This blend also includes Lactobacillus acidophilus, which was used in research showing reduced BPA content during fermentation.

Filtering your drinking water also helps you cut down on microplastics considerably.

The Aarke Purifier Large uses a refillable stainless steel cartridge and glass carafe to reduce your exposure to plastic at the source. One simple step that supports your broader efforts to protect gut health.

FAQ

Recent research suggests that specific probiotic strains may help bind microplastic particles in the gut and support their removal. In one animal study, mice given Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 excreted more microplastics and showed lower levels of gut inflammation.

Researchers first screened hundreds of probiotic strains in lab conditions using fluorescent-labelled plastic particles. The most promising strains were then tested in live mice, where scientists measured how much plastic was excreted and how much remained in the intestines.

Short answer, no, because this is not a rapid cleanse or a shortcut. The research points to a gradual biological effect that uses targeted strains to reduce retention of microplastics over time. It works with existing systems in the body rather than forcing a reset.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is found in many fermented foods such as yoghurt and kimchi. However, food sources do not always guarantee the same strain or concentration. For consistent support, look for a supplement that clearly lists the full strain name.

Air purifiers that use certified HEPA filtration can capture airborne microplastic particles down to 0.3 microns. These often come from synthetic fabrics and indoor dust. Using an air purifier with UltraHEPA and activated carbon technology can help reduce what you breathe in. 

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