Tiny plastic particles are now found almost everywhere on Earth. Scientists have discovered them in oceans, rivers, soil, food, drinking water, and even inside the human body. These particles are so small that people cannot see them without powerful scientific equipment.
Now, researchers in South Korea say a probiotic bacterium found in kimchi may help remove some of these particles from the digestive system.
The study was conducted by scientists at the World Institute of Kimchi and published in the journal Bioresource Technology. The researchers found that a bacterium isolated from kimchi strongly attached itself to nanoplastics and helped remove them through waste in animal experiments.
Nanoplastics are extremely tiny pieces of plastic measuring less than one micrometer in size. They form when larger plastic objects slowly break apart over time because of sunlight, heat, friction, and environmental damage.
Because nanoplastics are so small, scientists worry they may be able to move through the body more easily than larger plastic fragments. Some studies suggest these particles may cross the intestinal barrier and potentially accumulate in organs including the liver, kidneys, and brain.
Researchers are still trying to understand exactly how harmful nanoplastics may be to human health. However, early evidence suggests they could trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage.
This growing concern has pushed scientists to search for ways to reduce nanoplastic exposure and help the body eliminate these particles.
In the new study, researchers focused on a probiotic bacterium called Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656. The bacterium was isolated from kimchi, the famous Korean fermented food made from vegetables such as cabbage.
Kimchi has been eaten in Korea for centuries and is rich in beneficial bacteria produced during fermentation. Many scientists believe fermented foods may help support healthy digestion and strengthen the gut microbiome.
The gut microbiome is the large community of bacteria and microorganisms living inside the digestive system. Researchers now know these microbes influence many aspects of health, including digestion, immunity, metabolism, and inflammation.
The South Korean scientists wanted to see whether the kimchi-derived bacterium could physically bind to nanoplastics.
The team, led by Drs. Se Hee Lee and Tae Woong Whon, tested the bacterium using polystyrene nanoplastics. Polystyrene is a widely used plastic found in food packaging, cups, containers, and many household products.
In laboratory experiments, the bacterium showed a very strong ability to attach to the plastic particles. Under normal testing conditions, the probiotic achieved an adsorption efficiency of 87%, meaning it bound to most of the nanoplastics.
Researchers also compared the kimchi bacterium to another probiotic strain used as a reference.
The most important results appeared when scientists tested the bacteria under conditions similar to the human digestive tract. In these intestine-like conditions, the comparison strain almost completely lost its ability to bind to nanoplastics.
However, the kimchi-derived bacterium continued showing strong attachment ability, maintaining a binding level of 57%. This suggested the bacterium may still work effectively inside the intestine.
To further test the idea, researchers conducted experiments using germ-free mice. Some mice received the probiotic bacterium, while others did not.
The mice given the probiotic excreted more than twice as many nanoplastics in their feces compared to untreated mice. Scientists believe this means the bacteria may trap plastic particles in the intestine and help carry them out of the body before they can accumulate.
The findings support a growing idea that microorganisms from fermented foods may interact with environmental pollutants inside the digestive system.
Lead researcher Dr. Sehee Lee said plastic pollution should now be viewed not only as an environmental problem but also as a growing public health issue.
Scientists around the world are increasingly worried about how microplastics and nanoplastics may affect long-term human health. Plastic particles have already been detected in human blood, lungs, placentas, and other tissues.
Although researchers are still investigating the health risks, many experts believe reducing exposure and improving elimination methods may become increasingly important in the future.
The study also highlights the expanding scientific interest in probiotics and beneficial bacteria. In addition to supporting digestion, researchers are now exploring whether probiotics may help remove toxins, reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity, and interact with harmful environmental chemicals.
At the same time, scientists caution that the current findings are still early. The experiments were performed mainly in laboratory settings and mice, not in humans.
Researchers still need to determine whether the probiotic can safely reduce nanoplastic accumulation in people over long periods and whether the same effects occur with different types of plastics.
Scientists also do not yet know how much nanoplastic exposure is truly dangerous for human health. More studies will be needed to fully understand the relationship between plastic particles, gut bacteria, and disease.
Still, the findings offer an interesting new possibility. Instead of relying only on mechanical or chemical methods to deal with plastic pollution, future approaches may also involve beneficial microorganisms that help protect the body naturally.
The findings are important because they suggest probiotics from fermented foods may one day help reduce nanoplastic accumulation in the digestive system. One major strength of the study is that researchers tested the bacteria under intestine-like conditions and confirmed increased nanoplastic excretion in mice.
The study also expands scientific understanding of how gut microbes may interact with environmental pollutants. However, the research is still preliminary and limited to animal experiments.
Scientists still need to confirm whether the probiotic works similarly in humans and whether long-term use would be safe and effective. More research will also be needed to understand how different plastics behave inside the human body.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K may lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more health information, please see recent studies about foods that could sharp your brain, and results showing cooking food in this way may raise your risk of blindness.
Source: World Institute of Kimchi.
