Chewing gum releases thousands of toxic microplastics into your mouth, scientists warn

Research findings

A recent study has highlighted that chewing gum can release up to 3,000 plastic particles into your mouth. These tiny plastic particles have been linked to serious health conditions such as dementia, cancer, and heart disease.

The study

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that some human brains contain up to 7g of plastic, which could be associated with dementia. Chewing gum is now added to the list of items that may pose health risks due to microplastic exposure.

Chewing gum types

The study compared synthetic chewing gum, made from petroleum-based polymers, with natural gum using plant-based polymers like chicle. Surprisingly, both types of gum released similar amounts of microplastics when chewed.

Implications and recommendations

Scientists suggest that people should be mindful of their exposure to microplastics and take steps to reduce it. Chewing one piece of gum for a longer duration instead of multiple pieces could help decrease microplastic ingestion. Proper disposal of used gum is also crucial to prevent environmental pollution.

Reducing exposure

Dr. Brandon Luu from the University of Toronto recommends switching to tap water from bottled water to reduce microplastic exposure by almost 90%. Small changes in daily habits can significantly decrease the intake of harmful microplastics.