Thanks a lot, pops.
We inherit both physical traits and lifestyle habits from our parents, the latter of which we may notice as early as our 20s when we start to slowly morph into them.
And according to new research, it turns out what your dad ate before you were even born could affect your health today — and daughters may get the worst of it.
Adults’ eating habits often change after they become parents, with more making unhealthy meal choices and eating on the go.
But a study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that an unsuspecting culprit hiding in dad’s food can trigger metabolic dysfunctions in his kids.
Led by biomedical scientists at the University of California, Riverside, the findings show that mouse offspring exposed to microplastics — which slough off larger plastics — caused increased blood pressure, high blood sugar and excess body fat.
These metabolic conditions all increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The team also noted that female offspring of the mice exposed to microplastics were significantly more susceptible to conditions that affect metabolism.
And while male mice children didn’t develop diabetes, they did show a slight decrease in fat mass, while females showed decreased muscle mass.
The tiny particles that plague everything we touch — from our food to our cleaning tools — and can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, have already sparked fertility concerns.
This aligns with how researchers discovered that the exposure altered sperm, affecting molecules that control how genes turn on and off.
Previous studies have found that polystyrene nanoplastics — the kind of plastic used in food packaging — can lead to liver damage when consumed.
But it’s not just food that carries the risk of these nearly invisible plastics.
Inhaling microplastics can suppress a type of white blood cell in the lungs that’s essential to the immune system, raising the risk of cancer and other diseases.
The worst offenders that alter reproductive health? PTFEs, the chemical name of Teflon, followed closely by polystyrene, which is like styrofoam.
While the impact of plastic continues to be revealed, research on the topic can continue to determine how future generations may be affected — and offers a warning.
“Our discovery opens a new frontier in environmental health, shifting the focus toward how both parents’ environments contribute to the health of their children,” said lead study author Changcheng Zhou. “Men planning to have children should consider reducing their exposure to harmful substances like microplastics to protect both their health and that of their future children.”
While more studies look further into the effects, scientists continue to develop new, less harmful plastic materials that are biodegradable and environmentally-friendly.
