Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm, are known to be widespread in the environment, food, and even human tissues. Recent research has now identified chewing gum as another source of potential microplastic exposure, revealing that everyday chewing may release microscopic plastic particles directly into the mouth and potentially into the body.
Why Microplastics in Gum?
Most chewing gum is made with a gum base that contains long polymer chains, effectively a type of plastic, along with sweeteners, flavorings, and other additives. Even so-called “natural” gums, which use plant-derived polymers like chicle or tree sap, can release microplastics when chewed.
How Many Microplastics Are Released?
Recent experimental work, presented at a major scientific meeting and reported by multiple outlets, measured how many microplastic particles are released from chewing gum into saliva:
- On average, about 100 microplastic particles are released per gram of gum chewed.
- Some gum samples released up to 600 microplastic particles per gram.
- Since a typical stick of gum weighs between 2 and 6 grams, a single piece could shed up to ~3,000 microplastic fragments into saliva as it is chewed.
Most of these tiny particles were released in the first few minutes of chewing, with 94 % exiting within the first eight minutes.
Annual Exposure Estimates
Based on typical chewing habits (about 160 – 180 sticks per year), researchers estimate that a person who regularly chews gum could ingest around 30,000 microplastic particles per year from gum alone.
Natural vs Synthetic Gum
Interestingly, studies did not find a significant difference between “natural” and synthetic gum in terms of microplastic release. Both types shed similar amounts of particles, suggesting that plant-based ingredients do not guarantee lower microplastic exposure.
What Does This Mean for Health?
At this stage, scientists caution that we don’t yet know whether ingesting microplastics from chewing gum causes health problems in humans, there are no human clinical trials confirming harm. However, experimental studies in animals and cells have shown that microplastics may:
- Trigger inflammation
- Cause oxidative stress
- Interfere with normal cellular functions
These concerns add to a growing body of research showing microplastics in water, food, air, and human tissues.
Sources & further reading
- Peer-reviewed study (primary source): “Ingestion of microplastics during chewing gum consumption” (ScienceDirect).
- ACS PressPacs (official research summary / conference presentation): “Chewing gum can shed microplastics into saliva, pilot study finds.”
- UCLA Newsroom (study details + exposure estimate): “Chewing gum releases microplastics into your saliva.”
- ACS explainer (context on gum base + natural vs synthetic): “Microplastics found in chewing gum.”
- Healthline (accessible overview + caveats on health effects): “Chewing Gum Releases Thousands of Microplastics Into Saliva: Study.”
- Additional angle (separate research line): Queen’s University Belfast news on gum microplastics findings (links to their study).
