Chewing Gum Danger: Are You Swallowing Microplastics With Every Chew?

Love that satisfying chew of gum? Think again. Recent research reveals a concerning ingredient lurking within those minty squares: microplastics.

What’s Really in Your Gum?

While often marketed as a harmless treat, many mass-produced chewing gums, including big names like Wrigley, contain synthetic rubbers and petroleum-based polymers. Shockingly, some of these same materials are used in the production of car tires.

The Microplastic Problem

These synthetic materials break down into microplastics, tiny particles that can be ingested while chewing. The long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, but it’s a growing concern for researchers and health-conscious consumers alike.