The 84p supplement that can ‘FLUSH out cancer-causing microplastics' revealed

The Sun

2 days ago

A CHEAP supplement made from oats could help flush deadly "forever chemicals" from your body, US scientists have found.
These toxic substances - known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) - are found in non-stick pans, food wrappers, plastic containers and even stain-proof carpets.
2
They build up in the body over time and have been linked to cancer, infertility, liver damage and hormone disruption.
But a new study by researchers at Boston University suggests a simple dietary fibre could help reduce PFAS levels in the blood.
In the trial, 42 men were given 1g of oat beta-glucan fibre, a soluble oat bran fibre before every meal for four weeks. Another 30 took a placebo made from rice.
The fibre is found naturally in oats, mushrooms and seeds.
After a month, blood tests showed the fibre group had an 8 per cent drop in two of the most dangerous forms of PFAS: PFOA and PFOS, both linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
Scientists believe the fibre works by binding to bile in the gut, which PFAS attach to, and helping excrete it all through poo, rather than letting it seep into the bloodstream.
The study, published in Environmental Health, in March 2025, is the first real evidence that something as simple as oat fibre could help clear out chemicals once thought to stay in the body for decades.
But PFAS take years to break down, so longer studies are needed to confirm how effective fibre is in the long term.
Experts also warned not all fibre works the same - beta-glucan is the key type used in the trial.
Previous research has shown that the fibre can also support heart health by lowering cholesterol.
What are PFAS?
Like other forms of fibre it it also helps ease constipation by keeping bowels moving and reduces the risk of bowel cancer.
More than 90 per cent of adults in the UK don't eat enough fibre, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), with NHS guidelines recommending 30g of fibre a day.
Oat beta-glucan supplements are available in the UK from health shops and online, often marketed for heart health or cholesterol.
You'll need around 3g per day to match the study dose, typically taken as 1g before each meal.
Holland and Barrett are selling a 14-day supply of Oatwell Original Oat Bran Powder with Beta-Glucan for £10.12 - which works out to 84p per dose.
How can I eat more fibre?
Most adults only eat about 20g of fibre a day, but government guidelines say our dietary fibre intake should increase to 30g a day
Make sure you're getting your fibre from a number of sources, not just one.
The NHS recommends doing the following to increase your intake:
Choose a higher-fibre breakfast cereal such as plain wholewheat biscuits (like Weetabix) or plain shredded whole grain (like Shredded wheat), or porridge as oats are also a good source of fibre.
Go for wholemeal or granary breads, or higher fibre white bread, and choose wholegrains like wholewheat pasta, bulgur wheat or brown rice.
Go for potatoes with their skins on, such as a baked potato or boiled new potatoes.
Add pulses like beans, lentils or chickpeas to stews, curries and salads.
Include plenty of vegetables with meals, either as a side dish or added to sauces, stews or curries.
Have some fresh or dried fruit, or fruit canned in natural juice for dessert. Because dried fruit is sticky, it can increase the risk of tooth decay, so it's better if it is only eaten as part of a meal, rather than as a between-meal snack.
For snacks, try fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, rye crackers, oatcakes and unsalted nuts or seeds.
Source: NHS