Tea lovers may want to rethink their brewing habits. A recent study has raised alarm bells, revealing that a single cup of tea made using a standard plastic-based tea bag could expose the body to billions of microplastics—tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in size.
Dr. Mark Hyman, a physician and health expert affiliated with the University of Ottawa, emphasized that microplastics have already been detected in food, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. While the full impact of long-term exposure is still being researched, some studies suggest possible links to serious health conditions such as cancer.
Citing findings published in the respected chemistry journal ACS Publications, Dr. Hyman shared that an ordinary plastic tea bag can release up to 11.6 billion microplastic particles into a single cup of tea. This startling figure highlights a hidden health threat in what is otherwise considered a beneficial beverage rich in antioxidants.
While tea remains a popular health drink, Hyman urged consumers to be cautious and better informed about how their tea is brewed. He suggested that the level of microplastic contamination may depend heavily on the quality and material of the tea bag used.
To help minimize this risk, Dr. Hyman recommends switching to organic loose leaf tea and steeping it with stainless steel or glass strainers, which do not shed harmful plastic particles. For those who prefer the convenience of tea bags, he advises opting for biodegradable options made from organic hemp, cotton, or other plant-based fibers, and to avoid tea bags containing polypropylene, BPA, phthalates, or epichlorohydrin—all common but potentially harmful materials.
Adding to the urgency, a study published in Chemosphere investigated microplastic release from three widely available types of tea bags—nylon, polypropylene, and another with an unidentified filter polymer. The researchers found that polypropylene tea bags were the worst, releasing approximately 1.2 billion nanoplastic particles per milliliter of tea, with particles averaging just 136.7 nanometers in size. Even nylon bags, though somewhat less harmful, still released over 8 million particles per milliliter.
Given the growing concern around microplastics’ ability to enter human cells and potentially interfere with cellular functions, especially in vulnerable populations like children, these findings are deeply troubling. Some emerging research even points to a connection between microplastic exposure and reproductive health issues, including decreased sperm motility and accelerated spread of cancer cells.
In light of this evidence, health experts are urging tea consumers to prioritize safe, eco-friendly tea brewing methods and to remain vigilant about the materials used in everyday products that come into contact with food and drink.
