Many more microplastics in ultra-processsed foods

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Microplastics and mental health: The role of ultra-processed foods – 2025

Brain Medicine; https://doi.org/10.61373/bm025v.0068

Ultra-processed foods now dominate the food supplies of high-income countries, with over 50% of energy intake coming from ultra-processed foods in the United States. Observational data has revealed that greater ultra-processed food consumption is associated with adverse mental health outcomes, while data from randomized controlled trials has demonstrated improvements to mental health following reduction in ultra-processed food intake. Ultra-processed foods are known to contain high concentrations of microplastics, largely due to both the processing and packing procedures. In light of recent findings which demonstrated alarming microplastic concentrations in the human brain, we propose that microplastics may partially mediate the adverse mental health effects of increasing ultra-processed food intake. In this viewpoint, we discuss the overlapping mechanisms for adverse mental health, paucity of research in the area, and propose a Dietary Microplastic Index (DMI) to study this potential relationship.
Using the Nova food classification system, ultra-processed foods are in­dustrial formulations made almost entirely from substances extracted from foods, derived from constituents of foods, or synthesized in labo­ratories. Examples include instant noodles, carbonated drinks, and pack­aged foods (1). Ultra-processed foods now dominate the food supplies of high-income countries, such as the United States and Canada, and their consumption is rapidly increasing in middle-income countries (2). Particularly, the United States has one of the highest percent energy in­take from ultra-processed foods at over 50% (3). This shift from whole foods to ultra-processed foods is largely driven by transnational food manufacturing, extremely profitable fast food corporations, and heavily promoted ultra-processed foods in the form of snacks (2).
A recent umbrella review in The BMJ—including nearly 10 million participants—found that people who consumed ultra-processed foods had a

among numerous adverse phys­ical health outcomes (4, 5). On the contrary, evidence has demonstrated that those who adhere to a nutrient dense diet, primarily of unprocessed foods, are at a lower risk of adverse mental health outcomes (6). Beyond observational research, small randomized controlled trials have demon­strated moderate-to-large improvements in depressive symptoms with a Mediterranean diet compared to controls in those with depression (7). As such, from both observational and interventional research, there is a clear pattern between dietary intake and mental health.
The associations between ultra-processed foods and adverse men­tal health are complex and multifaceted. From a biological perspec­tive, numerous mechanisms—largely identified through animal studies— are likely at play including inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenet­ics, mitochondrial dysfunction, the tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurogenesis (via brain-derived neurotrophic factor), epigenetics, and chronic diseases such as obesity
This likely arises from their poor nutrient profiles, energy density, and the physical/chemical properties associated with industrial processing and packaging methods, which introduce bisphenols and microplastics as contaminants (4). Interestingly, microplastics share similar mechanisms for their adverse health effects via oxidative stress, inflammation, im­mune dysfunction, altered biochemical/energy metabolism, impaired cell proliferation, abnormal organ development, disrupted metabolic path­ways, and carcinogenicity (9). With particular attention to the central ner­vous system, microplastics and nanoplastics can induce oxidative stress, which may cause cellular damage and increase vulnerability to neuronal disorders. Particularly, microplastics have been demonstrated to influ­ence neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, y-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate, which are commonly implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders

Although, the above mechanisms are largely based upon animal and cell culture studies.
High concentrations of microplastics are found within ultra-processed foods, largely due to both the processing and packing process (10,11). For example, foods like chicken nuggets contain 30 times more microplas­tics per gram than chicken breasts—highlighting the impact of industrial processing on the content of the food (12, 13). Further, ultra-processed foods are often stored and heated in plastic, which independently serve as a significant source of microplastic exposure. Particularly, some plastic containers can release as many as 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 bil­lion nanoplastic particles from only one square centimeter of plastic area within 3 min of microwave heating (14). Beyond microplastics, Bisphe­nol A (BPA), a chemical compound used in the production of plastics, which is released when plastics degrade, is commonly found in packag­ing for ultra-processed foods (15). Therefore, the consumption of ultra- processed foods may serve as a significant risk factor for microplastic and BPA accumulation within humans.

~10X more microplastics in brain than other organs

Up until recently, most research on microplastic accumulation and human health has focused on correlations between physical health out­comes such as myocardial infarction, stroke, irritable bowel disease, and death (9, 16, 17). It was not until a study in Nature Medicine found that the human brain contains approximately a spoon's worth of microplas­tics, with levels three to five times higher in those with a documented de­mentia diagnosis (although this does not demonstrate causality) (18).
The microplastics in the brain were smaller (<200 nm), most often polyethy­lene, and were 7 to 30 times higher than those in other organs such as the liver or kidney.
This study also found a 50% increase in microplastic concentration based on time of death, from 2016 to 2024, which parallels the ongoing rise of ultra-processed foods available. For BPA, asso­ciations have been found with mental disorders such as autism, depres­sion, and anxiety (19, 20). No evidence currently exists (in humans) for microplastic accumulation and other mental health outcomes, partially due to the difficulty in quantifying microplastic exposures from an obser­vational perspective and ethics surrounding microplastic exposure from an interventional perspective.

The accumulation of a substantial quantity of microplastics in the brain and throughout the body raises significant health concerns. Emerg­ing evidence suggests potential effects on immune function, genetic stability, and endocrine regulation, making it reasonable to expect that such widespread deposition could have adverse impacts on both men­tal and physical health (21, 22). As ultra-processed foods, which contain significant microplastic content, represent over half of energy intake in the United States, with simultaneous rise in the rates of depression, it is imperative that this link be further examined (3, 23).

4X reduction in depression by diet change in 12 weeks - RCT

The first study that propelled the field of Nutritional Psychiatry was the SMILES trial (24). It was a 12-week, parallel-group, randomized con­trolled trial of adjunctive dietary intervention for the treatment of moderate to severe depression. Beyond depression, the participants were con­firmed to have a "poor" dietary quality through the use of the Dietary Screening Tool (DST) (25). In this study, the dietary intervention largely focused on replacing nutrient poor, ultra-processed foods with nutri­ent dense, unprocessed alternatives. Sixty-seven people were random­ized to a dietary intervention (n = 33) or control (n = 34) setting, with depression symptomatology, as measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), serving as the primary endpoint at 12 weeks. The dietary support group eliminated 21.76 processed foods per week and demonstrated significantly greater improvements at 12 weeks on the MADRS than the control group, whereby remission was achieved for 32.3% and 8.0% of the intervention and control groups, re­spectively, with a number needed to treat of 4.1. While the aim of this study was to improve the overall nutritional value as an intervention, there was likely a direct reduction in microplastic intake as a result of these aforementioned substitutions. However, as microplastic exposure was not directly measured, this remains a hypothesis requiring further investigation.

Retroactively, for the SMILES trial (24) orthe numerous other random­ized controlled trials (7) that have since been conducted in the field of nutritional psychiatry, it would be of utmost value if post-hoc analyses could be conducted estimating the change in microplastic content due to dietary interventions, and their subsequent effect on various men­tal health outcomes. This may become increasingly possible as more re­search quantifying the microplastic content of various ultra-processed food items is readily available (12, 13). From an observational perspec­tive, no nutritional population-based surveys currently estimate or track microplastic intake via diet, which precludes analysis of long-term mi­croplastic exposure via diet and adverse mental health outcomes. Per­haps, similar to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), which is used to assess the inflammatory potential of a person's diet based on the foods they consume (26) or the Nova food classification system, which categorizes foods based on the extent and purpose of industrial processing (1), a Di­etary Microplastic Index (DMI) can be developed or integrated into exist­ing dietary-based risk indices, to assess the microplastic content and risk of accumulation based on the foods consumed.
Overall, as the levels of ultra-processed foods, microplastics, and ad­verse mental health outcomes simultaneously rise, it is imperative that we further investigate this potential association. After all, you are what you eat.
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A toxic relationship: ultra-processed foods & plastics - Oct 2024

Globalization and Health Volume 20, article number 74 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01078-0
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Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses - BMJ Feb 2024

BMJ 2024; 384 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-077310

Objective To evaluate the existing meta-analytic evidence of associations between exposure to ultra-processed foods, as defined by the Nova food classification system, and adverse health outcomes.

Design Systematic umbrella review of existing meta-analyses.

Data sources MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, as well as manual searches of reference lists from 2009 to June 2023.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of cohort, case-control, and/or cross sectional study designs. To evaluate the credibility of evidence, pre-specified evidence classification criteria were applied, graded as convincing (“class I”), highly suggestive (“class II”), suggestive (“class III”), weak (“class IV”), or no evidence (“class V”). The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) framework, categorised as “high,” “moderate,” “low,” or “very low” quality.

32 assocations found between MP and health problems (10 million people) 50% more likely to die or be anxious

Results The search identified 45 unique pooled analyses, including 13 dose-response associations and 32 non-dose-response associations (n=9 888 373). Overall, direct associations were found between exposure to ultra-processed foods and 32 (71%) health parameters spanning mortality, cancer, and mental, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and metabolic health outcomes. Based on the pre-specified evidence classification criteria, convincing evidence (class I) supported direct associations between greater ultra-processed food exposure and higher risks of incident cardiovascular disease related

• mortality (risk ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.37 to 1.63; GRADE=very low) and
• type 2 diabetes (dose-response risk ratio 1.12, 1.11 to 1.13; moderate), as well as higher risks of
• prevalent anxiety outcomes (odds ratio 1.48, 1.37 to 1.59; low) and
• combined common mental disorder outcomes (odds ratio 1.53, 1.43 to 1.63; low).

Highly suggestive (class II) evidence indicated that greater exposure to ultra-processed foods was directly associated with higher risks of incident all cause mortality (risk ratio 1.21, 1.15 to 1.27; low), heart disease related mortality (hazard ratio 1.66, 1.51 to 1.84; low), type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 1.40, 1.23 to 1.59; very low), and depressive outcomes (hazard ratio 1.22, 1.16 to 1.28; low), together with higher risks of prevalent adverse sleep related outcomes (odds ratio 1.41, 1.24 to 1.61; low), wheezing (risk ratio 1.40, 1.27 to 1.55; low), and obesity (odds ratio 1.55, 1.36 to 1.77; low). Of the remaining 34 pooled analyses, 21 were graded as suggestive or weak strength (class III-IV) and 13 were graded as no evidence (class V). Overall, using the GRADE framework, 22 pooled analyses were rated as low quality, with 19 rated as very low quality and four rated as moderate quality.

Conclusions Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes. These findings provide a rationale to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of using population based and public health measures to target and reduce dietary exposure to ultra-processed foods for improved human health. They also inform and provide support for urgent mechanistic research.
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Ultra-Processed Foods and Microplastic Contamination:

Evidence of Elevated Exposure Levels   From Perplexity AI Deep Research May 2025
Recent scientific research provides compelling evidence that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics compared to minimally processed or whole food alternatives. Multiple studies conducted between 2023 and 2025 have demonstrated that industrial food processing methods, packaging materials, and extended supply chains contribute to substantially elevated microplastic contamination levels in highly processed food products. This contamination pattern represents a critical intersection between food processing practices and environmental pollution, with potentially serious implications for human health, particularly regarding brain function and mental well-being.

Evidence from Recent Research Studies

Comparative Analysis of Processing Levels
A comprehensive study published in Environmental Pollution examined microplastic contamination across 111 protein samples representing different processing levels, from unprocessed seafood obtained directly from vessels to highly processed products like chicken nuggets and plant-based meat alternatives 6. The research team classified products into three distinct categories: unprocessed items obtained whole and unmodified from vessels, minimally-processed products that were cut and packaged in plastic but otherwise unmodified, and highly-processed samples that underwent significant industrial modification before packaging 6.
The findings revealed a clear correlation between processing intensity and microplastic contamination levels. Highly-processed products consistently demonstrated significantly higher microplastic concentrations compared to their minimally-processed counterparts 6 7. This pattern held true across different protein sources, including seafood, terrestrial meats, and plant-based alternatives, suggesting that the processing methodology itself, rather than the source material, serves as the primary determinant of microplastic contamination 7.
The research methodology employed rigorous analytical techniques, including chemical digestion, sieving to identify particles larger than 50 micrometers, and spectroscopic confirmation using Raman and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR) spectroscopy [|PDF] Environmental Pollution - Ocean Conservancy 6 . From the subset of particles that underwent chemical analysis, 94% were confirmed as microplastics, with polyethylene terephthalate/polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene representing the most commonly identified polymer types 6
Quantitative Measurements and Specific Examples
The most striking example of processing-related contamination differences emerges from comparisons between chicken products at different processing levels. Research consistently demonstrates that chicken nuggets contain approximately 30 times more microplastics per gram compared to chicken breasts 1 8 12. This dramatic difference illustrates how industrial processing methods can exponentially increase microplastic content even when the base protein source remains identical.
Quantitative measurements across various protein products revealed mean particle concentrations ranging from 0.01 particles per gram in minimally processed chicken breast to 1.3 particles per gram in breaded shrimp 11. The research identified microplastics in 88% of all samples tested, with contamination present across all 16 protein product types examined 6 These particles ranged in size from 0.04 to 27.3 millimeters in length, with an average size of 1.0 ± 1.7 millimeters [|PDF] Environmental Pollution - Ocean Conservancy" 6 .
The study revealed that microplastics were predominantly fibers (44% of particles), followed by fragments (30%) and rubber particles (19%) 6 . The most commonly observed colors were blue (34%), black (27%), and gray (12%), suggesting potential contamination sources from industrial equipment, worker clothing, or packaging materials 6

Mechanisms Behind Increased Microplastic Content in Ultra-Processed Foods

Industrial Processing and Equipment Contact
The elevated microplastic concentrations in ultra-processed foods result from multiple contamination pathways inherent to industrial food production systems. Processing equipment, including conveyor belts, grinding machinery, and packaging systems, represents a significant source of plastic particle shedding during food manufacturing 7. The extended contact time between food products and plastic-containing equipment during multi-step processing procedures creates numerous opportunities for microplastic incorporation.
Workers' synthetic clothing and protective equipment contribute additional contamination through microfiber shedding during food handling and processing operations 7. The industrial environment itself, with its extensive use of plastic materials for equipment housing, piping, and storage containers, creates an atmosphere where airborne microplastic particles can settle onto food products throughout the processing chain.
Ultra-processed foods undergo multiple heating, grinding, and mixing procedures that can facilitate the breakdown of plastic materials and their incorporation into the final food matrix 8. These mechanical stresses on packaging and processing equipment may accelerate plastic degradation and particle release, particularly when elevated temperatures are involved during cooking or sterilization processes.
Packaging and Storage Contributions
While processing methods appear to be the primary driver of microplastic contamination, packaging materials also contribute to elevated levels in ultra-processed foods 8. Ultra-processed foods are frequently stored and heated in plastic containers, which independently serve as significant sources of microplastic exposure 8.

2 Billion nanoplastics after microwaving

Research demonstrates that plastic containers can release as many as 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles from just one square centimeter of plastic area within three minutes of microwave heating 8.
The extended shelf life of ultra-processed foods means prolonged contact between food products and plastic packaging materials, potentially allowing for greater migration of plastic particles over time 8. Additionally, the chemical additives used in ultra-processed food formulations may interact with packaging materials in ways that promote plastic degradation and particle release.
However, research findings suggest that packaging may not represent the dominant contamination source, as only seven protein samples contained microplastics with characteristics matching their packaging materials 11. This finding indicates that processing-related contamination likely exceeds packaging-derived contamination, though the study's detection limit of 50 micrometers may have missed smaller packaging-derived particles 11.

Health Implications and Concerns (depression, anxiety, sleep)

Neurological and Mental Health Effects
Recent research published in Brain Medicine has identified concerning correlations between ultra-processed food consumption, microplastic exposure, and adverse mental health outcomes 1 8. A 2022 umbrella review revealed that individuals consuming ultra-processed foods faced a

• 22% greater risk of depression, a
• 48% elevated risk of anxiety, and a
• 41% increased likelihood of experiencing poor sleep 12.

The proposed mechanism involves microplastics serving as a crucial mediating factor in these adverse mental health effects.
Microplastics demonstrate the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue, with recent studies revealing alarming concentrations equivalent to approximately one teaspoon of plastic material in human brains 1. These particles can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage, potentially increasing vulnerability to neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease 12.
The neurochemical effects of microplastics include disruption of neurotransmitter systems, particularly affecting acetylcholine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate, which are commonly implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders 8. These disruptions share similar mechanisms with the adverse mental health effects attributed to ultra-processed food consumption, including inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotransmitter system disruptions 8.
Exposure Assessment and Risk Quantification
Researchers have developed exposure assessment models to quantify human microplastic intake through food consumption. The total daily intake equation incorporates intake rates, exposure frequency, microplastic concentrations, and body weight to estimate overall exposure levels 4. However, accurate assessment remains challenging due to variations in microplastic concentrations between ingredients and final food products, as preparation and cooking processes can significantly alter contamination levels 4.
Annual exposure estimates for US adults consuming the studied protein products range from 11,000 to 29,000 microplastic particles, with potential exposure reaching up to 3.8 million particles per year depending on consumption patterns 11. These estimates likely represent conservative figures, as they only account for particles larger than 50 micrometers and focus solely on protein sources, excluding other food categories that may contribute to overall exposure 11.
The development of a proposed Dietary Microplastic Index (DMI) aims to systematically measure exposure levels based on food intake patterns, potentially enabling more accurate risk assessment and dietary guidance 8 12. This tool could help identify high-risk consumption patterns and guide interventions to reduce microplastic exposure through dietary modifications.

Conclusion

The scientific evidence unequivocally demonstrates that ultra-processed foods contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics compared to minimally processed alternatives. This contamination pattern results primarily from industrial processing methods, equipment contact, and extended supply chains rather than packaging alone. The 30-fold difference in microplastic content between chicken nuggets and chicken breasts exemplifies how processing intensity directly correlates with contamination levels.
The health implications of this contamination extend beyond physical concerns to encompass mental health and neurological function, with emerging evidence suggesting that microplastics may partially mediate the adverse mental health effects associated with ultra-processed food consumption. As ultra-processed foods now comprise over 50% of energy intake in countries like the United States, this contamination represents a significant public health concern requiring immediate attention and intervention.
Future research priorities should focus on developing standardized analytical methods for microplastic detection across diverse food matrices, establishing comprehensive exposure assessment tools, and investigating potential remediation strategies to reduce contamination levels in the food supply. Consumer education regarding processing-related contamination risks and practical strategies for minimizing exposure through dietary choices represents an essential component of public health responses to this emerging threat.
Citations:

1. https://nypost.com/2025/05/20/health/microplastics-in-junk-food-may-be-making-you-depressed-study/
2. https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/microplastics-and-nanoplastics-foods
3. https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/nova-chemicals-establishes-center-of-excellence-for-plastics-circularity-25910
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7559051/
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9920460/
6. https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Milne_Leonard_Mallos_Rochman-et-al_2024_Exposure-of-U.S.-adults-to-microplastics-from-commonly-consumed-proteins_Enviro_Pollution.pdf
7. https://www.beyondplastics.org/news-stories/microplastics-in-food
8. https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/brainmed/aop/article-10.61373-bm025v.0068/article-10.61373-bm025v.0068.xml
9. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230103-how-plastic-is-getting-into-our-food
10. https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e60289
11. https://foodpackagingforum.org/news/ultra-processed-food-intake-can-increase-human-exposure-to-phthalates-and-microplastics
12. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/plastic-spoon-microplastics-brain-could-000600218.html
13. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250521/Microplastics-in-ultra-processed-foods-may-fuel-mental-health-risks-experts-warn.aspx
14. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/what-you-can-do-about-microplastics-in-your-food-a8408022729/
15. https://sustainability.wustl.edu/microplastics-where-they-are-and-how-to-avoid-them/
16. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749123022352
17. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651322011009
18. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1084276
19. https://fortune.com/well/2025/05/20/the-plastic-spoon-of-microplastics-in-your-brain-could-stem-from-these-foods-that-are-wrecking-your-health-researchers-say/

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Ultra-processed foods contain substantially higher levels of microplastics compared to whole foods

according to multiple peer-reviewed studies. This contamination difference stems from industrial processing methods and extended plastic contact during production.

Key Evidence from Recent Studies (More MP from processing than packaging)

• 30x higher contamination in processed meats: Chicken nuggets contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than unprocessed chicken breasts, demonstrating how industrial processing amplifies contamination 1 2 5 6.
• 88% contamination rate: Analysis of 111 protein products found microplastics in 88% of samples, with significantly higher concentrations in highly-processed items like breaded shrimp (1.3 particles/g) versus minimally-processed chicken breast (0.01 particles/g) 7.
• Processing over packaging: A 2023 Environmental Pollution study revealed processing equipment contributes more microplastics than packaging. Only 7 of 111 samples showed packaging-matched contaminants, while industrial machinery contact drove most contamination 7 9.

Contamination Pathways in Ultra-Processed Foods (conveyor belts, worker's clothing)

Industrial processing factors:

• Plastic equipment (conveyor belts, grinders) shedding particles during multi-step processing 5 7 9
• Synthetic worker clothing releasing microfibers during handling 7
• Extended exposure time in plastic-heavy production environments 7 9

Packaging and storage:

• Microwave-safe containers releasing millions of particles during heating 9
• Prolonged shelf life increasing plastic migration time 9

Health Implications

While not directly part of the contamination comparison, studies note microplastics from these foods:

• Cross the blood-brain barrier, with dementia patients showing higher brain plastic concentrations 1 3 6
• May contribute to 22-48% increased depression/anxiety risks linked to UPF consumption 1 3 6
• Annual exposure estimates reach 3.8 million particles for frequent consumers 7

This contamination gradient underscores how food processing intensity – not just source ingredients – critically determines microplastic exposure levels. Researchers propose a Dietary Microplastic Index to help consumers mitigate intake through food choices 6 7 9.
Citations:

1. https://fortune.com/well/2025/05/20/the-plastic-spoon-of-microplastics-in-your-brain-could-stem-from-these-foods-that-are-wrecking-your-health-researchers-say/
2. https://www.today.com/health/news/microplastics-ultraprocessed-foods-dementia-study-rcna208279
3. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1084276
4. https://nypost.com/2025/05/20/health/microplastics-in-junk-food-may-be-making-you-depressed-study/
5. https://vegnews.com/ultra-processed-foods-microplastic-risk-study
6. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/plastic-spoon-microplastics-brain-could-000600218.html
7. https://foodpackagingforum.org/news/ultra-processed-food-intake-can-increase-human-exposure-to-phthalates-and-microplastics
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11500473/
9. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250521/Microplastics-in-ultra-processed-foods-may-fuel-mental-health-risks-experts-warn.aspx