Texas A&M Study Finds This Common Food Plastic Increases Your Chance of Developing Liver Disease

• Scientists at Texas A&M have published a study concerning the impact of polyethylene microplastics on liver damage, finding that mice exposed to them developed fatty liver disease, which was exacerbated by a diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol.
• This study opens the door to further research into treating liver disease caused by microplastic exposure.

Polyethylene is one of the most commonly used plastics in food packaging. Beverage bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET); the plastic film covering produce is typically low-density polyethylene (LDPE); and milk jugs are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Considered a safe material to use for food packaging, new research from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) finds evidence that polyethylene isn’t just destroying the planet; it might also be wrecking our livers.