Tag: Synthetic polymers

According to a 2025 UCLA study, chewing a single gram of gum can release an average of 100 microplastics into your saliva. This startling finding has brought renewed attention to a long-standing question: does gum base have microplastics, and what are the real implications for our health and the environment?

A 2025 study from UCLA revealed that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva during use, with both natural and synthetic gums shedding comparable amounts. This raises concerns about conventional chewing gum brands, such as Trident, and their potential microplastic content.

According to the American Chemical Society, the tasty flavors and sweeteners in chewing gum dissolve in saliva, but the core gum base does not. So, is chewing gum dissolvable? The short answer is largely no, and this is by design to ensure the product remains chewy throughout its use.

According to the FDA, food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is a key ingredient in modern chewing gum base, legally used to provide elasticity and texture. This synthetic polymer, also known commercially as a component of white glue, is processed and purified to ensure safety for consumption. Understanding what is polyvinyl acetate in gum involves exploring its function within the complex gum base formula.

Modern chewing gum contains synthetic plastics like polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, a fact many consumers are unaware of. So, what is the chemical composition of chewing gum? It is a complex mixture of a water-insoluble gum base, sweeteners, softeners, flavorings, and colorants, all working together to create its signature chewiness and flavor.

Chewing gum is considered a food by the FDA, yet the chewy, non-nutritive gum base is often made from a complex and proprietary blend of synthetic and natural materials. For Extra gum, like most modern chewing gum brands, the gum base is a carefully formulated combination of food-grade polymers, softeners, and other additives to create its signature long-lasting chew and flavor.

Most modern chewing gum contains a base made of synthetic rubber, a significant shift from its natural origins centuries ago. We will explore the definitive answer to the question, which base is found in chewing gum, and delve into the fascinating ingredients that create its unique chew.

Chewing gum has been a human habit for thousands of years, with ancient forms made from tree saps like chicle. Today's commercial gum bases are made primarily from synthetic, food-grade materials, leading many to question: is the base of chewing gum safe?

Over 50% of the world's organic carbon is stored in cellulose, a common polysaccharide. This fact underscores the critical role that these complex carbohydrates play in nature and firmly establishes that polysaccharides are a natural polymer, also known as biopolymers.

A recent UCLA pilot study found that a single gram of chewing gum can release an average of 100 microplastic particles into a chewer's saliva. This discovery confirms the concerning reality: yes, there are microplastics in chewing gum, and they are ingested during the chewing process.