Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola
May7th 2025
Chewing a single piece of gum can release up to 3,000 plastic particles directly into your mouth. That’s not a typo. According to researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, even a few minutes of chewing gum exposes you to hundreds — sometimes thousands — of microplastics, depending on the gum’s size and ingredients.1
What you need to know is that the plastic particles used in gum isn’t benign. These particles include the same plastics used to make grocery bags, plastic bottles and even car tires. So, when you chew gum, you’re not just freshening your breath. You’re directly dosing yourself with microscopic bits of plastic. Let’s look at how researchers made this discovery — and why even one piece of gum might not be worth the risk.
Chewing Gum Releases Plastics Within Minutes
A study presented at the American Chemical Society Spring 2025 meeting set out to measure how many microplastic particles were released when people chewed gum. Researchers tested 10 different commercially available gums — five synthetic and five “natural.” Each piece was chewed by the same person to avoid differences in chewing patterns and saliva composition.2
•Even natural gums released plastic particles — Despite expectations that only synthetic gums made from petroleum-based rubbers would shed plastic, the study revealed that both types — synthetic and natural — released similar levels of microplastics. These plastic particles measured at least 20 micrometers in size.
•Chewing for just two minutes released most of the plastic — The researchers found that 94% of the microplastic particles were released within the first eight minutes of chewing, with most of them coming off during the first two minutes. This means that if you’re chewing gum on a regular basis, you’re exposing yourself to a steady and concentrated dose of microplastics.
•People who chew a lot of gum ingest tens of thousands of plastic particles each year — The study estimated that someone who chews 160 to 180 sticks of gum annually could be swallowing around 30,000 plastic particles per year. This is a significant amount, especially when added to the tens of thousands of plastic particles already consumed annually through food packaging, bottled water and processed foods.
What’s Actually in the Gum You’re Chewing
Every gum sample included multiple types of plastic, including varieties used in clothing, beverage bottles and foam packaging. The most abundant types of plastics found included polyethylene and polypropylene, which are widely used in plastic food containers and packaging, toys, automotive parts, medical devices and more.
•The chewing motion itself — not saliva — causes the plastic to break off — Researchers confirmed that the release of microplastics wasn’t caused by enzymes in saliva. Instead, it was the repetitive chewing motion — grinding and pressure — that scraped plastic particles loose from the gum base. This mechanical stress causes the plastic fragments to flake off into your saliva.
•Smaller particles likely went undetected — The researchers only measured plastics 20 micrometers or larger because of limitations in their tools. That means the total number of particles is likely even higher than what they reported. Nanoplastics, which are small enough to enter cells and travel through the bloodstream, were not included in the counts.
•Chewing longer isn’t necessarily better, but switching gum less often could help — While most particles are released in the first few minutes, the study suggested that chewing one piece for a longer time instead of constantly switching to fresh pieces could reduce overall exposure. Still, if plastic is in the base, you’re going to get some no matter how you chew it.
Most People Don’t Know They’re Chewing Plastic
In related news, an article published by The Conversation revealed most people are completely unaware that conventional chewing gum is made from synthetic plastic.3 While manufacturers often list “gum base” as an ingredient, they avoid disclosing that this base includes oil-based synthetic rubbers — the same types used in car tires and plastic bags. These ingredients give gum its stretchy texture but make it an undeclared source of microplastic ingestion.
•Gum pollution is far more than just litter — The environmental damage caused by discarded gum is often dismissed as a litter issue, but this article reframes it as a form of plastic pollution that persists for decades. As noted in the article, “Like other plastics, synthetic chewing gum does not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for many years.” That means once it’s spit out, it continues to release microplastics into soil and water sources.
•Gum pollution is extremely expensive and difficult to clean up — Cleanup is not only labor-intensive but also costly. Because gum hardens over time, it doesn’t simply wash away with rain or degrade in the sun — it has to be removed manually.
•Global gum production is massive, and so is the plastic burden — The article cites peer-reviewed data estimating that 1.74 trillion pieces of gum are produced globally each year. With an average piece weighing 1.4 grams and synthetic gum base accounting for roughly 30% of that, more than 730,000 tonnes of plastic-based gum are produced annually.
How the Gum Industry Is Dodging Accountability
The Conversation piece criticizes industry-backed cleanup efforts like the UK’s “chewing gum task force,” which encourages responsible disposal but avoids addressing the plastic content itself. “Binning gum is not the solution,” the author argues.4 Framing the problem as one of litter shifts the responsibility away from manufacturers and onto individuals — while the real issue is the ingredients and formulation of the gum itself.
•The article calls for regulatory change and honest labeling — The author advocates for treating chewing gum the same way we now treat single-use plastics — by pushing for reduction, reformulation and transparency. “Stricter regulations can hold manufacturers to account,” the article explains. More importantly, it urges companies to fully disclose the contents of their gum base so consumers can make informed choices.
•Consumer education is key to reducing plastic exposure from gum — Once people understand what they’re really chewing, they’ll be more likely to quit or seek out safer alternatives. It concludes with a reminder that “chewing gum pollution is just another form of plastic pollution,” and it needs to be addressed at the source — not just after it hits the sidewalk.
Simple Ways to Reduce Your Microplastic Exposure
If you’re chewing gum for stress, flavor or habit, you’re probably not thinking about swallowing plastic. But that’s exactly what’s happening. Once you know that a single piece of gum releases thousands of microplastic particles into your mouth, it’s hard to justify keeping it as part of your daily routine.
Fortunately, you have better options — and the moment you quit chewing gum, your exposure to this hidden source of plastic stops immediately. Here’s how to break the gum habit:
1.Stop chewing gum — permanently — If you’re using gum as a tool to stay focused, deal with cravings or just pass time, understand that it’s not harmless. You’re not just chewing flavor — you’re chewing bits of plastic and synthetic rubber. Swallowing even 30,000 plastic particles a year is not something your gut, brain or immune system benefits from.
If you’ve been relying on gum as a pick-me-up, stop now. There are other ways to stay alert that don’t involve swallowing plastic.
2.Try fresh mint leaves or cinnamon sticks instead — You want that crisp, clean taste in your mouth? Real mint leaves or a small stick of Ceylon cinnamon offer flavor without chemicals or plastics. You can even toss them in your water bottle or chew them directly. Not only do these natural options freshen breath, but they also provide trace phytonutrients that support digestion and oral health.
3.If it’s about stress, replace the habit with real stress relief — A lot of people chew gum to calm their nerves — but it’s a shallow fix. If that sounds like you, try guided breathwork, meditation or a short walk outside. Even five minutes away from your screen with intentional breathing will give your nervous system what it actually needs. Make this a daily ritual, especially during moments when you’d normally reach for a piece of gum.
4.Start scanning ingredients for “gum base” and walk away — Don’t get fooled by labels that say “natural” or “plant-based.” If the package doesn’t clearly name each ingredient — and instead hides it under vague terms like “gum base” — assume it’s plastic. That’s the trick manufacturers use to dodge disclosure. If it’s not transparent, it’s not worth your trust.
5.Support alternatives that are truly plastic-free — Some small producers make chewing gums with actual chicle or other biodegradable bases, not plastic. If you’re not ready to stop chewing gum altogether, seek out these options — but be aware that there are other downsides to chewing gum to consider, like digestive issues and jaw trouble.
You can also contact chewing gum brands and ask for full transparency. Your voice matters — and the more people who demand real ingredients, the faster change happens. Once you make this switch, you’ve instantly removed a daily source of microplastic exposure — and that’s one of the easiest wins you’ll get this year.
FAQs About Plastic in Chewing Gum
Q: Is chewing gum really made of plastic?
A: Yes. Most commercial chewing gums use a synthetic gum base made from petroleum-based plastics — the same materials used in plastic bags, glue and car tires.
Q: How many microplastics are released when I chew gum?
A: A single piece of gum can release up to 3,000 microplastic particles into your saliva, most of which are released within the first two to eight minutes of chewing. If you chew gum regularly, you could be swallowing around 30,000 microplastics per year from this source alone.
Q: Are “natural” gums safer than synthetic ones?
A: Not necessarily. A study found that so-called “natural” gums released just as many microplastic particles as synthetic ones. Both types contained the same plastics when tested.
Q: Why is chewing gum considered a plastic pollution issue?
A: Gum doesn’t biodegrade. When discarded, it hardens and breaks down into microplastics that pollute sidewalks, soil and waterways. Cleanup is expensive, labor-intensive and doesn’t address the core issue: the plastic content in gum itself.
Q: What’s a safe alternative to chewing gum?
A: If you’re chewing for flavor, try fresh mint leaves or cinnamon. If it’s about stress, swap the habit with a few minutes of breathwork or movement. If you still want to chew something, look for truly biodegradable, plastic-free gum made from natural chicle.
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