(NewsNation) — Plastic bottles have long been considered an imperfect yet convenient solution, though according to a new study, you should think twice before drinking from them.
A study published in MDPI on July 26 revealed consuming liquids residing in plastic can cause an increase in blood pressure.
This occurs as a result of microplastics entering the bloodstream, possibly thanks to the plastic vessel holding the liquid.
The same, albeit to a lesser degree, can be said of glass bottles. Despite the omniscience of microplastics, research is somewhat limited.
Researchers from the Department of Medicine at Danube Private University noticed a “significant decline” in diastolic blood pressure when refraining from drinking liquids encased in plastic or glass bottles.
Microplastics can cause “significant health problems for the population,” according to the researchers.
“These small particles can penetrate intact cell barriers in the intestines and alveoli, thereby entering the bloodstream,” the study said. “We concluded, after extensive research, that beverages packaged in plastic bottles should be avoided.”
“Based on the findings, indicating a reduction in blood pressure with decreased plastic consumption, we hypothesize that plastic particles present in the bloodstream might contribute to elevated blood pressure,” researchers added.