How chewing gum could be adding plastic to your diet

Sumit Jha

Apr 06, 2025

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Health

Researchers have identified an unexpected source of microplastic exposure – chewing gum.

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According to a recent study, a single piece of gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva, raising the risk of ingestion and possible long-term health effects.

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Although there is no conclusive evidence from human trials, animal studies and cell-based research suggest that microplastics could be harmful. 

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Most microplastics detached from the gum within the first 2 minutes of chewing. 

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After 8 minutes of chewing, 94 percent of the plastic particles collected during the tests had already been released.

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Due to the limitations of their equipment, the study only identified microplastics that were 20 micrometres wide or larger.