Maya Ellison
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. It is composed of a gum base, sweeteners, softeners, plasticizers, flavours, colours, and a hard or powdered polyol coating. Recent studies have revealed that chewing gum contains microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles. In fact, a key ingredient in most chewing gums is polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic. This plastic component is what gives chewing gum its chewy texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common ingredient in gum base | Polyethylene |
| Polyvinyl acetate | |
| Butyl rubber | |
| Paraffin wax | |
| Type of plastic | Thermosoftening plastic |
| Thermoplastic | |
| Microplastic | |
| Petroleum-based polymer | |
| Polyolefins |
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What You'll Learn
- Polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic, is a key ingredient in most chewing gums
- Chewing gum is made with synthetic rubber bases from a petroleum-based polymer (plastic)
- Chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva
- Polyethylene, a common plastic, is one of the most popular gum base components
- Butyl rubber, another gum base ingredient, is used in caulking and car tires
Polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic, is a key ingredient in most chewing gums
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. Its rubber-like texture is due to its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which give it its elastic-plastic, sticky, and chewy characteristics.
The presence of polyvinyl acetate in chewing gum has raised concerns about the potential release of microplastics into the human body. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can be ingested or inhaled, and studies have shown that humans are exposed to microplastics through various sources in everyday life. Recent studies have indicated that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics into saliva, which can potentially be ingested.
While the health effects of ingesting microplastics from chewing gum are not yet fully understood, it is important to note that chewing gum is considered a food product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has approved the use of polyvinyl acetate in chewing gum, but some consumers are concerned about the potential risks associated with consuming plastic.
To address these concerns, eco-friendly chewing gum brands like Glee Gum and Simply Gum offer plastic-free alternatives. These brands provide options for consumers who wish to avoid ingesting microplastics from chewing gum.
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Chewing gum is made with synthetic rubber bases from a petroleum-based polymer (plastic)
Chewing gum is made up of a gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. The gum base is a plastic polymer that gives the gum its chewy texture.
The polymers that make up the gum base are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This is why gum can be chewed for a long time without breaking down in the mouth like conventional foods. The hydrophobic nature of the polymers also makes the gum sticky, allowing it to form bonds and stick to surfaces such as sidewalks, skin, hair, or shoes.
While natural gum products use a plant-based polymer such as chicle or other tree sap, synthetic gum bases are made from petroleum-based polymers (plastic). These synthetic polymers are often polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic material that becomes pliable or moldable at elevated temperatures and solidifies upon cooling. Polyvinyl acetate is also used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles.
Recent studies have found that chewing gum, both synthetic and natural, can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested. This has raised concerns about the possible health risks associated with microplastic exposure, as the health effects of microplastics are not yet fully understood.
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Chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva
Chewing gum is made from a combination of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and a hard or powdered polyol coating. The gum base is a rubbery substance that gives the gum its chewy texture. This base is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water, allowing the gum to be chewed for a long time without breaking down in the mouth.
A key ingredient in most chewing gum bases is polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic also known as thermoplastic or thermosoftening plastic. This plastic component is what makes chewing gum chewy. Polyvinyl acetate is also used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles. Other plastics found in gum bases include polyethylene, butyl rubber, and paraffin wax.
Recent studies have found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested. Both synthetic and natural gums were found to contain microplastics, with synthetic gums releasing more due to their plastic base. The health effects of ingesting these microplastics are not yet fully understood, but the presence of plastic in chewing gum is concerning, especially given that it is not always clearly listed on ingredient labels.
While the amount of microplastics released from chewing gum may vary depending on the brand and type of gum, the potential health risks associated with ingesting microplastics are cause for further investigation and highlight the importance of proper waste disposal to reduce plastic pollution.
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Polyethylene, a common plastic, is one of the most popular gum base components
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. It is composed of a gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and a hard or powdered polyol coating.
The gum base is the key to the indestructible property of chewing gum, as it is non-digestible and water-insoluble. This means that it can be chewed for a long time without breaking down in the mouth. The exact ingredients of the gum base are usually kept a trade secret, but they generally include fillers, elastomers, and emulsifiers.
In addition to polyethylene, other plastics such as polyvinyl acetate (PVA) are also commonly found in gum bases. PVA is a sticky polymer used in white glue, and it is responsible for the chewy texture of gum. However, recent studies have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with the consumption of microplastics in chewing gum.
While the health effects of microplastics are not yet fully understood, researchers have found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested. This has led to the development of eco-friendly, plastic-free gum brands that offer alternatives to consumers concerned about plastic consumption.
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Butyl rubber, another gum base ingredient, is used in caulking and car tires
Chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Its texture is rubber-like due to the physical-chemical properties of its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which give it its elastic-plastic, sticky, and chewy characteristics.
Butyl rubber, an ingredient in gum base, is also used in caulking and car tires. Butyl rubber is a synthetic rubber base made from a petroleum-based polymer, which is a type of plastic. Synthetic gum bases derived from petroleum-based polymers have been used in chewing gum since WWII, when natural latex derived from sapodilla trees was previously used.
The use of plastic in chewing gum has raised concerns about the potential health risks of ingesting microplastics. Studies have found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva, which may then be ingested. However, the health effects of microplastics are not yet fully understood, and additional research is needed.
Despite these concerns, chewing gum is considered a food product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum. The FDA defines food as "a raw, cooked, or processed edible substance, ice, beverage, or ingredient used or intended for use or for sale in whole or in part for human consumption, or chewing gum".
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Frequently asked questions
Polyvinyl acetate, also known as thermoplastic, is a key ingredient in most chewing gums. It is also used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles. Other plastic ingredients include polyethylene, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber bases from petroleum-based polymers.
Plastic is used in gum to give it its chewy texture and to prevent it from dissolving in the mouth. Plastic also contributes to the elastic properties of gum, allowing it to retain its shape and consistency during the mastication process.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum, recent studies have shown that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics into saliva, which can potentially be ingested. The health effects of ingesting microplastics are not yet fully understood, but it is estimated that humans consume tens of thousands of microplastics each year through various sources.
