Unfortunately for takeout enthusiasts, new research indicates that those plastic containers holding your warm, flavorful meals could be detrimental to your heart health.

A recent study published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety reveals findings from a Chinese research team who discovered that rats exposed to boiled water stored in typical takeout lids experienced significant disruptions in their gut microbiome, which included inflammation—a known risk factor for heart disease.

Additionally, researchers noted considerable damage to the myocardial tissue, or heart muscle. This research highlights the concerning effects of microplastic exposure on human health and how it can easily infiltrate our food and drinks.

According to the authors, “The data revealed that high-frequency exposure to plastics is significantly associated with an increased risk of congestive heart failure.”

The study involved a control group and three additional groups of rats that consumed boiled water subjected to leachate from plastic takeout containers for varying durations—one minute, five minutes, and fifteen minutes. This exposure occurred daily for three months.

Interestingly, no specific group of rats demonstrated unique symptoms; instead, all displayed similar worrying signs such as changes in their gut microbiota and myocardial damage. This indicates that any level of exposure may pose health risks.

The researchers concluded, “The study shows plastic exposure as a significant [key risk factor for cardiovascular disease] independent of the exposure duration, leading to alterations in myocardial tissue, gut microbiota, and metabolites connected to [cardiovascular disease].”

In addition to the animal trials, the researchers also surveyed nearly 3,200 individuals in China through self-reported questionnaires about their exposure to plastics and cardiovascular symptoms. While less robust than the rodent studies, this survey indicated that frequent exposure to plastics correlates with an increased risk of heart failure.

However, the study has some limitations. The authors noted that while a correlation was observed between plastic exposure and heart failure, it could be influenced by “individual variations within the surveyed population,” since only exposure over the previous month was analyzed, and biological samples from participants were not collected.

Regarding the rats, scientists could not quantify the types and volumes of plastic particles in their bodies. Although they observed significant myocardial damage, none developed full cardiovascular disease, possibly due to the short duration of the experiment.

The authors concluded, “Further research is essential to clarify the health effects of prolonged exposure to plastic products and to understand the accumulation and distribution of plastic particles in tissues and organs. This knowledge will be vital for developing effective safety measures in the future.”

In the interim, they recommend avoiding the use of plastic containers for hot foods.

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