Chewing Gum: Are You Ingesting Plastic While Chewing Gum? Shocking Truth Revealed in New Study

Chewing gum is a favorite for many – for some, it's a mouth freshener, for others, a sweet treat. But if you’re someone who regularly chews gum, it’s time to be cautious. A recent study reveals a shocking truth: chewing gum might actually lead you to unknowingly ingest thousands of tiny plastic particles.

What Is Chewing Gum Made Of?

The main component of chewing gum is the gum base. Traditionally, this gum base was made from natural substances like chicle, a resin obtained from trees. However, in modern times, most gum bases are made from synthetic polymers – substances very similar to plastic.

Common Ingredients in Gum Base:

• Polyvinyl Acetate
• Polyethylene
• Rubber or Resin
• Plasticizers (softening agents)

These are all synthetic materials and are also used in the production of various types of plastic.

Shocking Findings from Recent Study

According to a recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an average of 100 microplastic particles can be released from just one gram of chewing gum. Some gum samples even released over 600 particles. A standard piece of chewing gum weighs about 1.5 grams, which means a person who chews gum daily could potentially ingest around 30,000 microplastic particles each year.

These polymers are mainly petroleum-based synthetic plastics, added to enhance the chewing experience. Surprisingly, even chewing gums made with natural tree resins contain microplastic particles.

Due to their extremely small size, these microplastics can mix with saliva and enter the digestive system. Some particles are so tiny that they qualify as nanoplastics, which can even penetrate human cells and potentially affect health.

Is Chewing Gum Safe?

Modern chewing gums contain synthetic plastic-like substances but are considered safe for chewing – not for swallowing. While accidentally swallowing gum is usually not harmful (as it passes through the body undigested), frequent ingestion could pose health risks.

Final Takeaway

If you chew gum regularly, it's important to understand what you're putting in your mouth. Though considered safe for occasional use, most chewing gums today contain materials also found in plastics. Avoid swallowing gum and consider switching to natural alternatives if you're concerned about long-term health impacts.