- | 3:23 pm
Drinking water from plastic bottles can raise blood pressure: study
Amid rising concerns over microplastic contamination, India's food safety regulator has commissioned a study to investigate its effects
Drinking water from plastic bottles can raise blood pressure, a study by researchers at Danube Private University’s department of medicine in Austria found.
For the study, eight healthy adults switched from bottled water to tap water for a period of four weeks, during which their blood pressure was monitored regularly.
Healthy participants who drank tap water had lower blood pressure, likely due to lower microplastics in their blood, than those consuming bottled water, the study said.
The results suggest a possible link between reduced plastic intake and lower blood pressure, especially in women.
Systolic blood pressure showed no significant changes, but diastolic blood pressure dropped significantly in women after two weeks and continued to decline.
To be sure, systolic blood pressure measures the pressure when the heart beats, while diastolic measures it when the heart rests between beats.
The male participants in the study showed no consistent changes as the small sample size limited conclusions.
These findings suggested that microplastics–tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5mm–may contribute to elevated blood pressure.
Microplastic contamination is common in bottled water, with particles entering the water during the bottling process or from the plastic containers themselves.
They can also come from a variety of sources, including cosmetic products, synthetic textiles, industrial processes, and the degradation of plastic waste in the environment.
In a separate development, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Sunday initiated a comprehensive study to address the growing concern of microplastic contamination in the nation’s food supply.
Recognizing the potential health risks of microplastics, FSSAI has partnered with leading research institutions to investigate the problem within the Indian context.
The study will involve analyzing different food matrices and establishing accurate methods for detecting both micro and nano-plastics.
“While global studies have highlighted the presence of microplastics in various foods, it is imperative to generate reliable data specific to India,” said the statement.
Microplastics stem from various sources, including the wear and tear of car tires, the breakdown of larger plastic waste, and even the washing of synthetic clothing.
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