Invisible threats on our plate: Health implications of food-borne nanoparticles

In the modern world, nanotechnology has gained incredible attention due to its virtue for the development of smart materials, innovative devices, and enriched technological applications. Nanoparticles (NPs) are now widely employed across diverse sectors, including industry, agriculture, medicine, cosmetics, food processing, and environmental remediation, owing to their unique physicochemical properties. Despite the demonstrated benefits of NPs in various applications, accumulating evidence indicates that their widespread use may be associated to substantial risks to both human health and the environment. Due to their extremely small size, these NPs can interact with biological systems in unique ways such as molecular and cellular levels, raising significant concerns related to toxicity, bioaccumulation, and long-term exposure. Keeping the facts in the field of nanoscience, the aims of this review to provide a comprehensive overview of the uptake, translocation, and accumulation of NPs in humans, with particular emphasis on exposure via the food chain. As NPs enter agricultural systems and food products, they may ultimately reach consumers, making dietary intake via exposure route. In addition to ingestion, humans are also exposed to NPs through inhalation of airborne particles and dermal absorption from consumer products, occupational settings, and environmental contamination. A deep understanding of these NPs exposure routes is crucial for assessing potential health risks. Furthermore, the review also emphasized the toxicological impacts of NPs on both plants and human health. Moreover, in plants, NPs can influence growth, physiology, nutrient uptake, and metabolic processes, which may impact on food quality and safety. Similarly, in humans, nanoparticle exposure has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential organ damage. Overall, this article underscores the need for systematic evaluation, regulation, and responsible use of nanomaterials to ensure environmental integrity and human health safety.