Little Step No. 74
What to do:
Check your teabags!
Why this step works:
Anyone who knows me well knows I love tea - everything from herbal, redbush and earl grey to a good old english breakfast cuppa! And so much could be written about tea, from its science-backed benefits to its almost magical role as a warm comfort blanket during times of need. Today’s little step however is not about the tea itself - it’s about the teabags that carry it; because paying attention to detail here is a smart move for your health.
Here’s why...
Many people don’t realise that tea bags can contain microplastics - tiny particles of plastic that can leach from the tea bag, into your tea and end up in your body. Sadly, nowadays we’re all exposed to many sources of microplastics, not just from tea bags, but from plastic drinks bottles and food containers to takeaway coffee cups and many more. They're impossible to avoid completely but you absolutely can reduce your total exposure. Swapping your tea bags to ones that don’t contain plastic is a great place to start.
What’s the problem with microplastics?
I don’t claim to be an expert on microplastics, or tea bags, and the truth is there's no definitive answer to the question of ‘just how dangerous microplastics are to the human body?’ Research in this area is still in its infancy but they've been linked to hormone disruption, oxidative stress, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, developmental abnormalities, decreased sperm quality, and immunotoxicity. What’s particularly worrying is recent research that shows that microplastics can cross the blood brain barrier; a crucial barrier designed to protect the brain by keeping harmful things out. This research also showed that once microplastics have crossed this protective barrier there is significant potential for harmful effects. And what’s clear is the greater your total exposure, the higher the potential health risks. More than enough reason to avoid them wherever you can.
So which teabags should I choose?
The best option is to ditch the teabags and opt for old-fashioned loose leaf tea (in a pot or stainless steel infuser). I appreciate the convenience of tea bags though and my vote for plastic free tea bags would be Hampstead Tea. And if you want to check out the teabags you're currently using, have a look at this summary from Ethical Consumer for a rundown on the best, middle and worst performing companies when it comes to plastics in teabags. It's a 2022 summary so not totally up to date, but a good place to start.
I'm off to put the kettle on; hope you have a great week x
References:
Jieun L & Sanghyun J. Approach to an answer to “How dangerous microplastics are to the human body”: A systematic review of the quantification of MPs and simultaneously exposed chemicals. Journal of Hazardous Materials. Volume 460, 15 October 2023, 132404.
Ullah S, Ahmad S, et al. A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13: 1084236
Wookbong K, Daehwan K, et al. Microglial phagocytosis of polystyrene microplastics results in immune alteration and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Science of the Total Environment Volume 807, part 2, 10 February, 150817