Microplastics worsen fatty liver signs, especially with unhealthy diet: Study

Polyethylene, one of the most widely produced plastics in the world, may have implications for liver health, according to new research from Texas A&M University. The study, published in October 2026 and highlighted by the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, found that exposure to polyethylene microplastics was associated with signs of fatty liver disease, with more pronounced effects when exposure coincided with a diet high in fat, fructose and cholesterol. The findings add to a growing body of research examining how tiny plastic particles interact with biological systems. While microplastics have been detected in the environment and human tissues, their long-term effects on health remain incompletely understood.How polyethylene may affect liver healthPolyethylene is commonly used in food wrappers, storage containers, packaging and the linings of some disposable cups.