Microplastics and Health: Gut Microbiome Interactions, Liver Impact, and Food Packaging Risks

Microplastics have been found to interact with the human gut microbiome, raising concerns about their potential health effects, according to recent research summarized in multiple health and science reports.

A systematic review published in BMC Gastroenterology in August 2025 analyzed 12 studies and found that exposure to microplastics such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polylactic acid (PLA) induces gut dysbiosis. This condition is marked by a loss of beneficial bacterial genera and an enrichment of pathogenic species in the gut.

The review also reported that microplastics impair the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are important metabolites produced by gut bacteria that support intestinal health and regulate inflammation. Alterations in SCFA production were linked to disrupted metabolic functions and modulated immune pathways.