Do nanoplastics in bottled drinks and liquid foods pose hidden health risks?

What's actually in it

Liquid foods and drinks sit in direct contact with their plastic packaging, often for weeks or months. Nanoplastics, particles smaller than 1 micrometer, gradually migrate from the container walls into the liquid. This happens faster with hot liquids, acidic drinks (like juice), and fatty liquids (like milk or cream).

Unlike larger microplastics that might pass through your gut, nanoplastics are small enough to cross cell membranes and enter your bloodstream.

What the research says

A 2026 review in J Food Sci examined how micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) get into liquid foods, how much ends up in common beverages, and what happens when you drink them.

The review found measurable nanoplastic levels in bottled water, milk, juice, beer, and soft drinks. Bottled water stored at higher temperatures or in direct sunlight showed the highest levels. Milk in plastic jugs had more particles than milk in glass bottles.

Once ingested, nanoplastics caused oxidative stress in gut and liver cells. They also triggered inflammatory responses and disrupted mitochondrial function, the cell's energy production system. Some studies found that nanoplastics could carry chemical additives like plasticizers and UV stabilizers into cells, amplifying the toxic effect.

The simplest fix is to store liquids in glass or stainless steel containers. Don't leave plastic water bottles in hot cars or near sunlight. For milk and juice, choose glass bottles when available.