Scientists are still learning the health effects of ingesting microplastics – tiny pieces of plastic less than 0.2 of an inch (5mm) in diameter.

Now, new research from China suggests these plastic fragments could be causing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – a group of disorders that cause chronic pain and swelling in the intestines. 

The experts found that people with IBD have 1.5 times more microplastics in their faeces, suggesting the fragments could be related to the disease process. 

It's thought that more microplastics in the gut may cause IBD or makes the disease worse, but it's currently unclear exactly how.