Are nylon tea bags shedding microplastic into your cup?

What's actually in it

Nylon tea bags are made of plastic. When you steep these bags in hot water, they don't just sit there. They break down and shed tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics, directly into your tea.

This isn't a theory. A 2026 study in Environ Sci Process Impacts used advanced imaging to confirm that these bags release microplastics into brewed tea infusions. You are essentially drinking plastic with your morning cup.

What the research says

The science is clear that these particles are not harmless. A 2026 study in J Hazard Mater found that microplastics from tea bags cause liver damage and oxidative stress in developing embryos. This means the plastic is actively harming biological health at a cellular level.

Other peer-reviewed research shows that this is a systemic issue with plastic food contact materials. A 2026 study in Adv Sci (Weinh) linked chronic exposure to these types of microplastics to the disruption of gut and liver health. When these particles enter your body, they can trigger conditions like hepatic steatosis, which is the buildup of fat in the liver.

Whether the plastic is labeled as conventional or biodegradable, the risks remain. A 2025 study in J Hazard Mater demonstrated that both types of microplastics from food containers negatively impact metabolic health and gut bacteria. You should avoid anything that sheds plastic into your food or drink.