Donating blood has emerged as an unexpected method to reduce the levels of certain contaminants in the human body, including microplastics and other persistent chemicals. While the primary purpose of blood donation remains to save lives, recent research has uncovered this additional benefit for donors.
Reducing Contaminant Levels
Studies have shown that regular blood donation can lead to a decrease in the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the bloodstream[3]. These “forever chemicals” are found in many everyday products and can accumulate in the body over time. While the research focused primarily on PFAS, it suggests that blood donation may have a similar effect on other persistent contaminants, including microplastics.
Mechanism of Reduction
The reduction in contaminant levels occurs because many of these substances, including microplastics, bind to proteins in the blood[4]. When blood is donated, a portion of these bound contaminants is removed from the donor’s body. Over time, with regular donations, this can lead to a noticeable decrease in overall contaminant levels.
Quantifiable Benefits
A study involving firefighters, who are often exposed to high levels of PFAS, found that blood donors reduced their PFAS levels by 10%, while plasma donors saw a 30% reduction[3]. These reductions were maintained for at least three months after the donation period ended. While this study focused on PFAS, it suggests that similar benefits may apply to other contaminants like microplastics.
Dual Advantage
Blood donation offers a unique dual benefit: it helps save lives through the medical use of donated blood, and it potentially improves the donor’s health by reducing contaminant levels[1]. This discovery may encourage more people to become regular blood donors, addressing blood shortages while simultaneously benefiting their own health.
Conclusion
While more research is needed to fully understand the impact of blood donation on microplastic levels specifically, the existing evidence suggests that it could be an effective method for reducing various contaminants in the body. As our understanding of the health impacts of microplastics and other persistent chemicals grows, blood donation may become an increasingly important tool for maintaining personal health while contributing to the well-being of others.
Citations:
[1] https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/surprising-benefits-donating-blood
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/18r3dgf/if_donating_blood_reduces_heavy_metals_and/
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/12/heres-another-reason-to-donate-blood-it-reduces-forever-chemicals-in-your-body
[4] https://www.sciencealert.com/regular-blood-donations-can-reduce-the-levels-of-forever-chemicals-in-the-blood
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8994130/
[6] https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/news/article/2022/04/26/regular-blood-or-plasma-donation-may-reduce-pfas-levels-in-blood-serum
[7] https://theconversation.com/new-evidence-shows-blood-or-plasma-donations-can-reduce-the-pfas-forever-chemicals-in-our-bodies-178771
[8] https://www.health.com/mind-body/4-unexpected-benefits-of-donating-blood
