A recent study presented at the American Chemical Society’s spring meeting has revealed that popular chewing gums—both synthetic and “natural” brands—release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles per piece during chewing. Here’s what you need to know about this unexpected source of plastic pollution and how you can make smarter choices.

Synthetic Polymers: The Secret Ingredient in Gum

At the heart of most commercial chewing gums lies gum base, a rubbery substance that gives gum its signature chew. Despite sounding harmless, many gum bases are made from synthetic polymers—the same class of materials used to manufacture plastic packaging, paints, and adhesives. When you chew, tiny fragments of these polymers can break off, becoming microplastics that you swallow or discard into the environment.

A recent report presented at the ACS meeting found that a single stick of gum can release an average of 96 to 104 microplastic particles directly into the mouth. These particles range in size from 10 to 100 micrometers—small enough to slip past your body’s natural defenses and enter the digestive tract. (health.com)

Why Microplastics in Gum Matter

Environmental Impact:

• Persistent Pollution: Chewed gum is notorious for sticking to sidewalks and under park benches. Since its gum base is plastic-based, it never truly biodegrades—only breaking down into ever-smaller microplastics that wash into storm drains and waterways.

• Ecosystem Threats: Microplastics are now ubiquitous in rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they can be ingested by fish, birds, and other wildlife—entering the food chain and disrupting ecosystems.

Human Health Concerns:

• Ingestion Risks: While the health effects of ingesting microplastics are still under study, preliminary research links microplastics to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in gut health. Some studies even suggest that certain plastic additives may act as endocrine disruptors.

• Cumulative Exposure: Chewing gum is a daily habit for many. Even if each piece releases only dozens of particles, that adds up over time—potentially increasing your overall microplastic burden.

Beyond Gum: A Wake-Up Call for Consumer Awareness

The revelation about gum is part of a broader trend: microplastics have been found in bottled water, seafood, tea bags, and even table salt. Each new discovery highlights how deeply plastics have infiltrated our lives—and why it’s crucial to rethink everyday products.

Consumer Takeaways:

1. Read Labels Carefully: Most gum packaging simply lists “gum base” without specifying ingredients. Look for brands that explicitly advertise plastic-free or natural chicle bases.

2. Choose Natural Gum Brands:

   • Simply Gum uses sustainably harvested chicle and food-grade resins.

   • Glee Gum has long offered chicle-based options without synthetic polymers.

   • PUR Gum uses plant-based ingredients and compostable packaging.

3. Reduce Single-Use Plastics Elsewhere: While switching gum helps, also minimize plastic bottles, straws, and packaging in your daily life to lower your overall microplastic footprint.

A Small Habit, a Big Difference

Chewing gum may seem harmless, but as science uncovers more hidden sources of microplastics, it’s clear that even small habits can have significant environmental and health impacts. By opting for plastic-free gum and reducing plastic use across the board, you can help stem the tide of microplastic pollution—one chew at a time.

Check the label before you chew. Your choices today can shape a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.