In a world increasingly aware of environmental and health challenges, a startling revelation has emerged from the scientific community: chewing gum, a seemingly innocent daily habit, may be flooding our bodies with microplastics.
A recent study presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2025 meeting by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has uncovered that both synthetic and natural chewing gums release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva with every chew. This groundbreaking research, currently under peer review, raises fresh concerns about the pervasive nature of microplastics and their potential impact on human health and the environment.
Unpacking the Latest Study: Chewing Gum Releases Thousands of Microplastics, Synthetic or Natural
The Study: A Closer Look at Gum’s Hidden Plastics
Led by Sanjay Mohanty, PhD, an engineering professor at UCLA, and graduate student Lisa Lowe, the study tested ten popular chewing gum brands available in the U.S.—five synthetic and five natural. The hypothesis was straightforward: synthetic gums, made from petroleum-based polymers, would release significantly more microplastics than their natural counterparts, which rely on plant-based polymers like chicle or tree sap. However, the results defied expectations.
The experiment involved a single participant chewing each gum type for four minutes, with saliva samples collected every 30 seconds, followed by a final rinse with purified water. A separate test tracked microplastic release over 20 minutes. Using advanced techniques like Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and microscopy, the team found that, on average, each gram of gum released about 100 microplastics, with some pieces shedding as many as 637 particles per gram. Given that a typical piece of gum weighs 2–6 grams, a single stick could unleash up to 3,000 microplastic particles into your mouth.
Shockingly, both synthetic and natural gums released comparable amounts—104 microplastics per gram for synthetic and 96 for natural. “We were not surprised to find microplastics in chewing gum, but we are surprised to find them in equal amounts in both synthetic and organic gum,” Mohanty noted. The polymers identified—polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polyacrylamides, and polystyrenes—were consistent across both types, with polyolefins (common in packaging like polyethylene and polypropylene) being the most abundant.
Why Natural Gums Aren’t Exempt
The presence of microplastics in natural gums has left researchers puzzled. While synthetic gums are explicitly formulated with plastic-based polymers, natural gums were assumed to be largely plastic-free. The study suggests that contamination could occur during manufacturing, processing, or packaging—stages where transparency is often lacking. “Most gum product labels don’t disclose the full composition of their gum base,” Mohanty explained, highlighting a gap in consumer knowledge that complicates tracing the source of these microplastics.
This unexpected finding aligns with broader trends in microplastic research. From bottled water to seafood, microplastics have infiltrated countless products, often through environmental contamination or industrial processes. The UCLA study adds chewing gum to this growing list, estimating that someone chewing 160–180 pieces annually could ingest around 30,000 microplastics from gum alone—a significant addition to the tens of thousands humans already consume yearly from other sources.
Health Implications: What We Know So Far
The health effects of microplastic ingestion remain a scientific gray area. “Scientists don’t know if microplastics are unsafe to us or not. There are no human trials,” Mohanty emphasized, tempering alarm with caution. While animal studies and cell research suggest potential risks—such as inflammation, oxidative stress, or even links to heart disease and stroke—no definitive evidence ties microplastics to human harm at current exposure levels.
Still, the sheer volume of microplastics released by gum is striking. The study found that 94% of these particles detach within the first eight minutes of chewing, primarily due to the abrasive action of teeth rather than saliva’s enzymatic breakdown. Particles averaged 82 micrometers in size—about the width of a human hair—but smaller nanoplastics (below 20 micrometers) likely went undetected due to equipment limitations, hinting that the true count could be higher.
Experts like Dr. Lisa Patel from Stanford Medicine have suggested reducing gum consumption as a precautionary measure, especially for vulnerable groups like children. Others, such as Professor Oliver Jones from RMIT University, argue that these microplastics “would likely pass straight through you with no impact,” given their size and the body’s natural defenses. The debate underscores a critical need for further research.
Beyond the Mouth: Environmental and Business Impacts
Chewing gum’s microplastic story doesn’t end with ingestion. “The plastic released into saliva is a small fraction of what’s in the gum,” Mohanty warned, pointing to its environmental footprint. Improperly discarded gum—think sidewalks or the infamous “gum walls”—contributes to plastic pollution, breaking down into microplastics over time. This dual threat positions gum as both a personal and planetary concern.
For businesses, this study could spark a reckoning. The $25 billion global chewing gum market, dominated by brands like Wrigley and Mondelez, may face pressure to innovate. Consumer demand for transparency and sustainability is already driving shifts—some companies are exploring biodegradable alternatives or clearer labeling. However, the National Confectioners Association has pushed back, asserting that “gum is safe to enjoy as it has been for over 100 years,” citing FDA-approved ingredients. Whether this reassurance holds amid rising microplastic awareness remains to be seen.
Latest Updates: Where the Research Stands
As of April 2025, the UCLA study is under peer review, with experts like Professor Ted Henry from Heriot-Watt University noting its significance but cautioning about methodological limits, such as potential lab contamination or the inability to detect nanoplastics. Posts on X reflect public surprise and concern, with users like @terrinakamura lamenting their gum habits and @FoodSafetyMag amplifying the findings to food science communities. The conversation is heating up, and follow-up studies are likely to refine these initial insights.
What Can You Do?
For now, the researchers offer practical advice: if you can’t quit gum, chew one piece longer rather than cycling through multiple sticks to minimize microplastic exposure. Proper disposal is also key—bin it, don’t spit it. As science unravels the microplastic mystery, consumers and companies alike may need to rethink this everyday indulgence.
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