Contains harmful particles: Scientists reveal truth about chewing gum
How harmful chewing gum is to your health (photo: Freepik)
Chewing gum is a popular way to freshen breath or relieve stress, but not everyone knows it can have negative effects on health. How exactly can chewing gum be harmful to the body, explains the Daily Express.
An American study found that people who chew gum may increase their intake of microplastics. Testing saliva samples from 10 brands revealed that a single piece of gum can release up to 3,000 plastic particles.
The impact of microplastics on human health is not yet fully understood, but research has shown that these tiny particles can penetrate deep into human tissues, including the brain.
The lead researcher, Sanjay Mohanty, explained that chewing gum is made from a gum base, sweeteners, flavorings, and other ingredients. Natural gum uses a plant-based polymer, while other products contain a synthetic rubber base made from polymers.
Researchers suggested that synthetic chewing gum may contain more microplastics since its base is a type of plastic.
In one experiment, a participant chewed each piece of gum for four minutes, producing saliva samples every 30 seconds. After rinsing their mouth with clean water, the samples were combined into one.
How much microplastic is in a gram of gum?
In a second test, saliva samples were collected periodically over 20 minutes to measure the rate at which microplastics were released.
Analysis showed that, on average, one gram of gum contained 100 microplastic particles, with some types containing up to 600.
The research team estimated that a typical piece of gum weighs between two and six grams, meaning a larger piece could release up to 3,000 plastic particles.
"Surprisingly, both synthetic and natural gums released the same amount of microplastics when chewed," said project lead Lisa Low.
Most microplastics were detected within the first two minutes of chewing.
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