According to a study, the anthocyanins that give plants their red, purple and blue colours stand out for their protective effect against microplastic damage to the reproductive system.
The properties of fruit and vegetables are proving useful in countering the damage caused by microplastics in the body. This is the finding of a new study by the Finland-China Food and Health Network, according to which anthocyanins contained in fruit and vegetables are showing a protective effect against the harmful effects of microplastics on the reproductive system.
Microplastics are the result of the decomposition of larger plastics that make up everyday consumer goods and contain thousands of chemicals harmful to health. Ubiquitous pollutants in the environment, they are ingested and inhaled: their presence has been detected in the bloodstream, in the placenta, in breast milk, in sperm, in the testes and in the human brain. In the body, microplastics can accumulate in tissues and cause oxidative stress, endocrine disruption and inflammation, all factors that can impair reproductive function in both males and females.
Anthocyanins are flavonoids, phenolic compounds and water-soluble pigments that give fruit and vegetables their red, purple or blue colours, as seen in blueberries, grapes, red cabbage, pomegranate, as well as purple corn and purple potatoes. According to the researchers, these compounds can exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, mitigate oxidative damage and help restore hormonal balance, reduce cellular stress and protect the reproductive organs from plastic-induced damage.
"The search for natural compounds to counteract the harmful effects of microplastics is ongoing, with anthocyanins emerging as promising candidates," the study's conclusions read. "Anthocyanins have demonstrated potential protective effects against microplastic-induced reproductive toxicity." Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which anthocyanins interact with microplastics and their toxicity: this could offer valuable insights into the development of therapies to protect human reproductive health from environmental contaminants.