Fermented food can help expel nanoplastics from body

Scientists have written a lot about microplastics and nanoplastics. Microplastics are larger than 1 millionth of a metre, while nanoplastics are smaller. A new study has found that bacteria from the Korean dish kimchi can help to take nanoplastics out of the body. The World Institute of Kimchi found a microbe that sticks to nanoplastic. The nanoplastic safely leaves in our bodily waste. The plastic does not get to organs like the brain and kidneys.

Doctors say there are many side effects of nanoplastic. People take in up to 120,000 pieces of nanoplastic every year. We may have seven grams of it in our body. This is about the size of a credit card. Scientists believe their research might help to reduce the plastic in our bodies. The lead researcher said fermented foods could be "a new biological approach" to tackle the nanoplastic problem. He will continue to look at how kimchi can help us and our health.