Counteracting Microplastics: God Thinks of Everything!

Microplastic particles are everywhere. They have been found in arctic ice, brain tissue, fetuses in the womb, and in reproductive organs—and they present a very great risk to human health. One area profoundly impacted by these tiny man-made particles is human reproduction (The Guardian, February 24, 2025). Microplastics impact “hormones, reductions in testosterone and estrogen, decreased sperm counts, lower sperm quality, erectile dysfunction and ovarian damage.” Yet, in a new study, researchers found “that mice exposed to a substance that causes the same diseases as microplastics, then treated with anthocyanins, showed increased sperm quality, including increased sperm count and motility, and that the antioxidants overall reduced testicular damage.…. [Anthocyanins] have demonstrated potential protective effects against reproductive toxicity induced by microplastics.” While “anthocyanins” might sound like a man-made chemical, they occur naturally in nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even flowers. They are compounds that give many of these items their bright colors. While this new research focuses solely on mice, the implications for humans are exciting. Future research will likely test the effects of these antioxidant-like compounds on microplastic effects in humans.

Research studies like this one are faith-building. Long before plastic, the Creator designed foods to have beneficial effects on the body. Many naturally occurring foods contain compounds that promote health and prevent disease. In the case of anthocyanins, compounds naturally found in plants show promise in counteracting some of the harmful side effects of our modern man-made world. To learn more about how God truly thinks of everything, read or listen to Biblical Principles of Health.