When you imagine what's inside your body, you likely picture your heart, brain and other essential organs -- not pieces of plastic. However, plastic in the human body has become increasingly common.

It's been estimated that Americans consume 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles each year, through the food we eat , the water we drink and even the kitchen items we use to prepare, cook and store our food . Microplastic particles are less than 5mm in length , meaning they're smaller than a sesame seed. While more research is needed, Stanford Medicine reports that some studies have linked microplastics to cell damage, a weakened immune system, abnormal organ development and certain cancers, among other health issues.

Though it may be easier to simply stick with the

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