Microplastics are also in your favorite drinks: coffee and tea among the most contaminated (pay attention to the container!)

That cup of coffee or tea you drink every morning could contain microplastics, according to a new English study. But the container and temperature can make a difference

As is now well known, microplastics are practically everywhere, including what we drink: from our tap water to the most popular beverages, contamination is increasingly widespread and concerning.

A study conducted in the United Kingdom, published in Science of the Total Environment, analyzed 155 samples of hot and cold beverages, revealing that all contain microplastics. Researchers detected fragments of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE), materials commonly used in food packaging and disposable containers.

The most contaminated beverages

According to the study, hot beverages show higher levels of microplastics compared to cold ones, probably because heat promotes the release of particles from containers. In particular:

• Hot tea: 60 particles per liter, the highest average concentration
• Hot coffee: 43 particles per liter

Among cold beverages, microplastic levels vary as follows:

• Iced tea: 31 particles per liter
• Iced coffee: 37 particles per liter
• Fruit juices: 30 particles per liter, with higher peaks in PET bottles
• Energy drinks: 25 particles per liter on average
• Soft drinks: 17 particles per liter, the lowest concentration

It’s important to note that the type of packaging significantly influences contamination, as plastic containers release more microplastics compared to glass or metal cans.

@Science of the Total Environment

Which microplastics were found in beverages

The study detected microplastics ranging in size from 10 to 157 micrometers, with a predominance of fibers. The most common polymers are:

• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Polyethylene (PE)

Smaller-sized particles can penetrate biological tissues more easily, potentially accumulating in organs and contributing to inflammation and oxidative stress.

@Science of the Total Environment

Daily exposure

Combining microplastic concentrations with the average daily beverage intake of adults in the United Kingdom, the study estimates similar exposure between men and women:

• Women: 1.7 microplastics/kg of body weight per day
• Men: 1.6 microplastics/kg of body weight per day

These values exceed the estimated amounts considering only drinking water, demonstrating that tea, coffee, and juices play a significant role in daily microplastic intake (at least in the United Kingdom).

What we can do

Although it’s difficult to completely eliminate microplastics present in beverages, some precautions can reduce their ingestion:

• Prefer glass cups or ceramic mugs for hot beverages
• Limit the use of plastic containers
• Avoid prolonged contact with hot plastic packaging

Source: Science of the Total Environment