Yes, chewing gum sheds microplastics, because most gum is built on a synthetic plastic base and chewing grinds tiny particles loose into your saliva. Recent research found a single piece can release hundreds to a few thousand microplastic fragments. Switching to a “natural” gum does not help much, since both types tested similar. The real fix is chewing less gum, not a different brand.
Key takeaways
– Most gum’s chewy “gum base” is a synthetic polymer, essentially food-grade plastic.
– Studies measured roughly 100 microplastics released per gram, with a piece shedding up to about 3,000 particles.
– Natural and synthetic gums released similar amounts, so the swap that works is chewing less, not switching brands.
What the research found
A peer-reviewed 2025 study measured 4 to 636 microplastic particles released per gram of gum into saliva (Lowe et al., 2025). A UCLA team led by Sanjay Mohanty, presenting at the American Chemical Society’s spring 2025 meeting, reported an average of about 100 particles per gram, with some gums shedding up to 600 per gram. Since a typical piece weighs 2 to 6 grams, that adds up to as many as 3,000 microplastic particles from one piece. The UCLA work is still under peer review, so treat the exact numbers as preliminary, but the direction is clear and consistent across studies.
Why “natural” gum is not a fix
The surprise from both studies is that gums marketed as natural, which use chicle or other plant-based bases, released microplastics at similar levels to synthetic ones. So choosing a natural-base gum does not reliably lower your exposure. Most of the shedding comes from the mechanical grinding of chewing wearing down the base, regardless of what that base is made from.
Should you worry about it?
It is a real but modest source, and the health effects of swallowed microplastics are still being studied, so this is a reason to chew less, not to panic. The researchers themselves offered a simple, low-stress tip: if you do chew gum, chew one piece for longer rather than starting a fresh piece, since most particles release in the first couple of minutes.
Lower-plastic alternatives
If you want the fresh-breath effect without the gum base, mints or hard candies skip the plastic entirely. A few small brands make gum from tree-sap chicle without synthetic polymers, though the research suggests even those still shed some. And remember this is a minor source next to the big ones: see how to avoid microplastics for where your effort pays off most.
FAQ
Does all chewing gum have microplastics?
Most does. Mainstream gum uses a synthetic polymer base that is essentially food-grade plastic, and studies found gums marketed as natural shed similar amounts. So nearly all chewing gum releases some microplastics when chewed.
How many microplastics are in a piece of gum?
Studies measured roughly 100 microplastics per gram, and up to 600 per gram for some gums. A typical 2 to 6 gram piece can therefore release hundreds to as many as 3,000 particles into your saliva, most of them in the first few minutes.
Is natural or plastic-free gum better?
Not by much, according to the research. Natural chicle-based gums released microplastics at levels similar to synthetic ones, because chewing grinds down any base. The more reliable way to cut exposure is to chew less gum.
Is the plastic in gum harmful?
The health effects of swallowed microplastics are still being studied, and gum is a small source compared with water, air, and packaging. It is a reason to cut back, not to be alarmed. Most particles are swallowed and pass through, not absorbed.
What can I chew instead of gum?
Mints and hard candies give the fresh-breath effect without a plastic base. A few brands make gum from tree-sap chicle, though it still sheds some particles. If you keep chewing gum, chew one piece longer rather than several.
The bottom line
Gum is chewy because it is built on plastic, and chewing releases hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles per piece, natural brands included. It is a minor source overall, so the sensible move is simply to chew less and put your energy into the bigger exposures like water and air.
