What chewing gum does not have artificial sweeteners?

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous market trends, consumer demand for cleaner food labels has driven a surge in the availability of natural products, extending even to chewing gum. This shift has many people wondering what chewing gum does not have artificial sweeteners and what natural alternatives are available for a healthier option.

Quick Summary

This guide details popular chewing gum brands that use natural sweeteners such as xylitol and stevia, avoiding artificial additives. It explains how to identify natural gums and the ingredients to look for on product labels to ensure a cleaner, healthier chew.

Key Points

Natural Alternatives: Brands like PUR, Simply Gum, and Glee Gum use natural sweeteners like xylitol, stevia, or organic cane sugar instead of artificial ones.
Check the Label: Always read the ingredients list to find gums free of aspartame, sucralose, and other artificial additives. Look for natural sweeteners specifically mentioned.
Plastic-Free Options: Many natural gums, like Simply Gum and Chicza, use a biodegradable chicle tree sap base instead of synthetic plastics found in conventional gum.
Oral Health Benefits: Gums sweetened with 100% xylitol, such as PUR and Xylichew, can help inhibit the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and promote better oral hygiene.
Flavor vs. Longevity: While natural gums offer cleaner, often subtler flavors from plant oils, their flavor may not last as long as that of conventional, artificially flavored gums.
Fair Trade and Sustainability: Some brands, like Chicza, are committed to sustainable sourcing of their chicle and support the local communities involved in the harvesting process.

The Shift Towards Natural Chewing Gum

For decades, conventional chewing gum has relied on synthetic ingredients, including artificial sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose, to provide sweetness without calories. Furthermore, many gums use a synthetic plastic base, often disguised under the generic term 'gum base' on ingredient lists. However, as health consciousness grows, more people are seeking products made with simpler, more natural ingredients. This trend has fueled a market for chewing gums that are free from artificial sweeteners and other synthetic additives.

Why Choose Gum Without Artificial Sweeteners?

Choosing gum without artificial sweeteners goes beyond personal preference; it often relates to health and environmental concerns. Artificial sweeteners can cause digestive discomfort in some individuals, while the synthetic gum base is non-biodegradable and contributes to plastic waste. Natural gums, conversely, often use biodegradable tree sap (chicle) and naturally derived sweeteners that may offer additional benefits, such as supporting oral health.

Brands with Natural Sweeteners

Fortunately, a growing number of brands offer chewing gum that does not have artificial sweeteners. They use plant-based alternatives like xylitol and stevia for a clean, satisfying chew.

PUR Gum

One of the most popular brands in the natural gum space, PUR Gum is famous for being aspartame-free and naturally sweetened with 100% xylitol.

Sweetener: 100% Xylitol, sourced sustainably from European birch and maple trees.
Base: Uses a synthetic gum base, but is certified vegan and non-GMO.
Benefits: Xylitol is known for its dental benefits, as it inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
Flavors: Available in a wide variety, including Peppermint, Spearmint, and Pomegranate Mint.

Simply Gum

Simply Gum is a brand built on transparency and using simple, pronounceable ingredients. The company started when its founder discovered that most gum contains synthetic plastic.

Sweetener: Flavors are sweetened with either organic cane sugar or plant-based xylitol, but never artificial options.
Base: Features a natural chicle tree sap base, making it plastic-free and biodegradable.
Benefits: Completely free of synthetic plastic, flavors, and preservatives.
Flavors: Offers unique flavors like Ginger and Coffee, alongside traditional Mint and Cinnamon.

Glee Gum

Another pioneer in the natural gum market, Glee Gum uses a chicle base and natural sweeteners.

Sweetener: Options include cane sugar for standard varieties and xylitol for their sugar-free line.
Base: Made with sustainably harvested chicle tree sap, giving it an old-school, traditional chew.
Benefits: Biodegradable and vegan options are available.
Flavors: Peppermint, Bubblegum, and more.

Chicza

For a truly natural and sustainable option, Chicza is a fully biodegradable, 100% natural organic chewing gum made from the sap of the chicozapote tree in the Mayan Rainforest.

Sweetener: Uses organic agave and cane syrup.
Base: 100% organic, biodegradable chicle from tree sap.
Benefits: Supports fair trade and rainforest conservation efforts.

Stevita Hum Gum

This brand offers a unique combination of natural sweeteners for those avoiding sugar alcohols entirely or looking for more options.

Sweetener: Sweetened with both organic stevia and xylitol.
Base: Made with a stable gum base that is vegetarian and non-GMO.
Benefits: Ideal for diabetics and those following a keto diet.

How to Identify Artificial Sweetener-Free Gum

To make sure you are purchasing a gum that truly does not have artificial sweeteners, reading the label is crucial. Pay close attention to these key areas:

Sweeteners List: Look for sweeteners like Xylitol, Stevia, and organic cane sugar. Avoid ingredients like aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and sorbitol.
Gum Base: Search for phrases like 'natural chicle base' or confirmation that the gum is 'plastic-free'. The general term 'gum base' can hide synthetic plastics.
Certifications: Certifications such as 'Organic', 'Non-GMO', and 'Vegan' can indicate a product is free from many synthetic additives.

Comparison of Natural vs. Conventional Chewing Gum


Feature	Natural Gum	Conventional Gum
Sweeteners	Xylitol, Stevia, Organic Cane Sugar	Aspartame, Sucralose, Sorbitol
Gum Base	Natural chicle tree sap, plant-based	Synthetic plastic polymers (often unlabeled)
Biodegradability	Many are biodegradable (chicle-based)	Non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment
Oral Health	May contain beneficial xylitol, reducing cavities	Depends on ingredients; some use sugar alcohols but others are less beneficial
Flavoring	Uses natural flavors and essential oils	Artificial flavorings and colors
Chew Texture	Varies, often softer or more 'old-school'	Consistent, long-lasting elasticity due to synthetics
Flavor Longevity	Often less long-lasting than conventional gum	Generally formulated for long-lasting flavor

Natural Gum Ingredients

Many natural gums focus on a few key ingredients, moving away from long, chemical-filled lists. Common components include:

Chicle: A natural tree sap from the sapodilla tree, used as a biodegradable gum base.
Xylitol: A sugar alcohol from birch and other plants that sweetens gum and helps fight cavities by inhibiting bacterial growth.
Stevia: A natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant.
Organic Cane Sugar: Used in some varieties for sweetness in a less refined form.
Glycerin: Often plant-based, it is used as a humectant to keep the gum soft.
Natural Flavors: Derived from plants and essential oils, providing a purer taste.

Conclusion

Choosing a chewing gum that does not have artificial sweeteners is easier than ever, thanks to a variety of brands offering cleaner, more natural alternatives. Brands like PUR Gum, Simply Gum, and Glee Gum lead the way with natural sweeteners such as xylitol and stevia, and some even use biodegradable chicle bases. By understanding the ingredients and seeking out certified products, consumers can make informed choices that are better for their health and the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicle is a natural, biodegradable tree sap harvested from the chicozapote tree in the Mayan rainforest. It is used as a plastic-free, elastic base for natural chewing gum, unlike the synthetic polymers used in most conventional gum.

Yes, xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that is known to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause cavities. Chewing xylitol-sweetened gum can increase saliva flow and help remineralize tooth enamel.

Gums made with a chicle base, like Simply Gum and Chicza, are biodegradable. Unlike synthetic plastic gums that can take years to break down, these natural gums decompose quickly.

If the ingredients list includes the generic term 'gum base' without further specifics, it likely contains a synthetic plastic base. Brands using natural bases will typically specify 'chicle base' or similar on their packaging.

Natural gums often use essential oils and plant-based flavorings, which can be more subtle and dissipate quicker compared to the potent, longer-lasting artificial flavors and sweeteners used in conventional gums.

Yes, stevia is a natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It is a suitable alternative for those who want a sweet taste without sugar or artificial sweeteners and is often used alongside xylitol.

While generally safe, sugar alcohols like xylitol can cause digestive discomfort or have a laxative effect if consumed in excessive amounts, particularly for those with sensitive digestive systems. It is important to chew in moderation.