Uncovering the Hidden Dangers: How Microplastics in Food Packaging Could Elevate Your Heart Disease Risk

New research shows that microplastics from food packaging can harm blood vessels, leading to inflammation and changes that could raise the risk of heart disease.

In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, scientists in Italy found that these tiny plastic particles can damage vascular cells and, in turn, contribute to cardiovascular issues.

Microplastics are extremely small bits of plastic that come from everything, including packaging. They’ve been found in unexpected places like human blood and lungs. As their presence grows, so do concerns about their impact on health, particularly concerning the heart.

While there’s evidence suggesting microplastics can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, their specific role in heart disease is still unclear. Worryingly, researchers discovered microplastics in the arteries of patients during surgeries, hinting they might be tied to conditions like atherosclerosis.

This study aimed to see if microplastics genuinely harmed vascular smooth muscle cells, which are essential for maintaining healthy blood vessels. Researchers specifically looked at two common types of plastics, polyethylene and polystyrene, both often used in food containers.

They tested these microplastics, both new and artificially aged to mimic environmental wear, to gauge their effects on human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs).

The study involved various tests. First, scientists checked if the cells were still alive after exposure to microplastics. They also measured cell stress and death through established markers like p53 and BMF.

They conducted migration assays to see if microplastics affected the movement of the muscle cells, crucial for understanding vascular issues. To evaluate changes in the cells, researchers used immunofluorescence analysis to check for key proteins that shift from a healthy state to one prone to disease.

The results were striking. Exposure to microplastics led to decreased cell viability, indicating that these particles were harmful. Aged polystyrene proved to be particularly toxic.

Markers of cell stress and death increased significantly, suggesting that microplastics could lead to more programmed cell deaths. These findings point to the potential dangers of microplastics, as they seem to cause membrane damage and increase harmful cell movement associated with heart disease.

Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that exposure to microplastics decreased healthy markers while increasing those associated with inflammation and calcification in blood vessels.

Moreover, the study highlighted that microplastics could activate the inflammasome complex, a pivotal player in inflammation, which is known to contribute to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis.

In summary, this research indicates that microplastics aren’t just environmental nuisances; they may pose significant risks to heart health. As these pollutants become more prevalent, understanding their effects on human health is crucial.

With this increased awareness, addressing plastic pollution is more important than ever, as its impacts on health extend beyond environmental concerns.

Study Reference:

• Persiani, E., Cecchettini, A., Amato, S., Ceccherini, E., Gisone, I., Sgalippa, A., Ippolito, C., Castelvetro, V., Lomonaco, T., & Vozzi, F. (2025). Virgin and photodegraded microplastics induce the activation of human vascular smooth muscle cells. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 4263. doi:10.1038/s4159802589006z.