Breaching Barriers: Microplastic Translocation into Human Body Through Food and Implications for Neurodegeneration

Abstract Introduction Plastics are ubiquitous in modern life, widely used in food containers, packaging, and textiles. Micro- and nano plastics (MNPs), originating from environmental sources, agricultural practices, and packaging materials, can infiltrate the food chain, posing potential health risks. Results Studies have demonstrated that MNPs leach into food from both the surrounding environment and plastic packaging, with factors such as low pH and elevated temperatures significantly enhancing their release. Upon ingestion, these particles traverse biological barriers, enter systemic circulation, and accumulate in organs, including neurons and brain regions, where they disrupt normal biological processes. Mechanistically, MNPs induce neuronal damage through oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, lysosomal dysfunction, altered proinflammatory gene expression, and neurotoxicity, which can trigger pyroptosis and progressive neuronal loss, ultimately contributing to neurodegeneration. Methods This systematic review synthesizes studies from the past fifteen years, documenting the presence of MNPs in food and beverages, quantifying their levels, and linking their occurrence to environmental plastic pollution and packaging materials. It also highlights the role of MNPs in neurotoxicity, elucidating potential biological mechanisms leading to neuronal damage, and their possible association with neurological disorders such as cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion These findings underscore the urgent need for further research to track MNPs within the nervous system and to implement mitigation strategies aimed at reducing MNP contamination across the food supply chain. Graphical Abstract