The Times reported that the research fond that nine of the ten most common types of plastics were discovered in stool samples from individuals from eight countries, including the UK.
The findings have prompted calls for research into whether microplastics, which are particles less than 5mm long, are absorbed by the body, and their effects, which have yet to be studied.
Philipp Schwabl, of the Medical University of Vienna, who led the study, said: “This confirms what we have long suspected, that plastics ultimately reach the human gut.
“Now that we have the first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health.”
Microplastics have been found in tap water, bottled water, seafood, beer and honey.