Antioxidants that give fruits and flowers their vibrant colors seem to counteract some of the most dangerous reproductive system effects of exposure to microplastics, such as decreased fertility, and could ultimately be used in developing treatments, new peer-reviewed research shows.

The paper focused on microplastics’ reproductive toxicity and plant compounds called anthocyanins, which are widely found in nuts, fruits and vegetables. The new review of scientific literature on anthocyanins found that the compounds are probably protective against a range of plastic-induced impacts on hormones, reductions in testosterone and estrogen, decreased sperm counts, lower sperm quality, erectile dysfunction and ovarian damage.

“The search for natural compounds to counteract these harmful effects is ongoing, with anthocyanins emerging as a promising candidate,” wrote the study’s authors, who are with the Finland-China Food and Health Network.

“[Anthocyanins] have demonstrated potential protective effects against reproductive toxicity induced by microplastics.”

Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic either intentionally added to consumer goods, or which are products of larger plastics breaking down. The particles contain any number of 16,000 plastic chemicals, of which thousands, such as BPA, phthalates and Pfas, present serious health risks.

A new study led by researchers from TGen, part of City of Hope and Arizona State University, has identified an association between glyphosate exposure and symptoms of neuroinflammation, as well as accelerated Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. This study tracks both the presence and impact of glyphosate’s by-products in the brain long after exposure ends, showing an array of persistent, damaging effects on brain health.

The study published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation shows that pre-clinical models exposed to the herbicide develop brain pathologies associated with neurodegenerative disease. The findings suggest the brain may be much more susceptible to the damaging effects of the herbicide than previously thought.

“Herbicides are used heavily and ubiquitously around the world,” said a senior author of the paper Patrick Pirrotte, Ph.D., associate professor in TGen’s Early Detection and Prevention Division. “These findings highlight that many chemicals we regularly encounter, previously considered safe, may pose potential health risks. However, further research is needed to fully assess the public health impact and identify safer alternatives.”

The glyphosate exposure also resulted in premature death and anxiety-like behaviours. The scientists discovered that these symptoms persisted even after they discontinued exposure for a 6-month recovery period. The study also revealed an accumulation of aminomethylphosphonic acid —a byproduct of glyphosate — in brain tissue, raising serious concerns about the chemical’s safety for human populations.