Can microplastics in your food and water damage your kidneys over time?

What's actually in it

Your kidneys filter about 45 gallons of blood per day. Any microplastics and nanoplastics circulating in your blood pass through the kidneys repeatedly. The kidney's delicate filtering structures (glomeruli and tubules) are exposed to these particles with every pass.

What the research says

A 2026 review in World J Nephrol examined how micro- and nanoplastics affect kidney health. The review found that plastic particles can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis (scarring) in kidney tissue. Smaller nanoplastics were more damaging because they can penetrate kidney cells directly.

Long-term exposure may contribute to chronic kidney disease, a growing global health problem. The kidneys' job of filtering blood makes them especially vulnerable to circulating particles.

Reduce microplastic intake through glass water bottles, glass food containers, and a diet based on fresh, unpackaged foods. Filter your drinking water.