Try This – 3 Big Shares Around Plastics

Try This community, today I’m sharing some things you need to know about our plastics/microplastics problem and two things that I’ve been using to help reduce my exposure to their harms.

Let’s get into it.

Number 1: Plastics Contribute to Nearly Two Million Premature Births in a Single Year

This is pretty wild.

A new study published in The Lancet is the first-ever to look at the global estimate of preterm births tied to phthalates, the plasticizer chemicals found in food packaging, personal care products, and plastic wrap. 

In 2018 alone, exposure to one of the most widely used phthalates, DEHP, was linked to 1.97 million preterm births and over 74,000 newborn deaths. That’s nearly 9 percent of all preterm births worldwide.

And preterm birth isn’t just about arriving a little early. Babies born before 37 weeks face a much higher risk of respiratory complications, neurological issues, and long-term developmental challenges. It’s also the leading cause of death in children under five globally.

By the way, as pressure mounted to phase out DEHP, manufacturers replaced it with a different chemical called DiNP. But this study found that DiNP may be associated with nearly identical risks.

Different name…similar outcome.

Plastics are life-saving in so many ways (especially in healthcare), but we urgently need to find alternatives that don’t cause as much damage. I’m not sure how it will work out, but the EPA and HHS did just declare plastics and microplastics a top priority.

Number 2:  The Problem with Plastic Blenders

I love my Vitamix—it’s a total workhorse, and I use it almost every day. But if you’ve had one for a while, you’ve probably noticed the same thing I did: Over time, that clear plastic pitcher starts to get foggy and worn down.

Between the heat from the dishwasher and the constant abrasion from blending, that plastic is slowly degrading. And research suggests that regular use can release microplastics and associated chemicals into whatever you’re blending. I recently watched a clip of Rhonda Patrick and Steven Bartlett talking about this, and it really drove the point home for a lot of people.

A few years ago, when the data around plastics started coming out, I made the switch to a metal pitcher—and it’s been a no-brainer. I use my blender sometimes twice a day, so reducing that daily exposure felt like an easy win.

You can find stainless steel pitchers online pretty easily. Here is a link to some on Amazon. 

One pro tip: When you switch to a metal pitcher, the blending becomes even louder than with a plastic pitcher. I measured the metal pitcher at around 90 decibels (dB), which is loud—not extreme, but definitely at a level where long exposure can start to damage hearing.

This may sound crazy, but I always take the extra step of just covering my ears with my fingers or hands to dampen the sound and protect my ears.

Number 3: The Boujie Plastic-Free Coffee Maker I’m Loving

One upgrade I’ve made recently that I’m really excited about is switching to a plastic-free coffee maker.

Most people don’t think twice about their coffee machine, but it turns out your morning cup might be exposing you to more than just caffeine. It's estimated that your morning cup of coffee in a traditional coffee maker could contribute around 400–500 microplastics per liter, but more importantly, over the course of a lifetime, you’re also getting exposed to all the other plasticizers used to make the coffee. 

In the past, I've talked about how I switched to an Aeropress glass coffee maker, but the limitation of the Aeropress is that you can only make one cup of coffee at a time, which is just not practical for couples and families. 

So when I found out about The Brewer by Simply Good Coffee, I was pumped because not only is it designed so that no plastic or aluminum ever touches the water, but it also makes multiple cups at a time (eight cups at once)! 

Now, fair warning—this is a total splurge at around $430. But my thinking is that a high-quality coffee maker, if you take care of it, can easily last 10+ years.

Downside: There is no timer on the coffee machine, so that’s kind of a bummer, but if it means less exposure to plastic, I’m good with it!

Hopefully more companies will get into this space and bring the cost down, I’d love to see a $100 plastic free coffee maker accessible to the masses.

See you next week for more shares. 

Much love,
Dhru Purohit 

The information in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice; please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.