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A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) reveals that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics into saliva. The study, presented at the American Chemical Society's 2025 meeting in San Diego, highlights the potential for gum to be a significant source of microplastic ingestion.
The research team, led by Dr. Sanjay Mohanty, an associate professor at UCLA, tested 10 brands of gum, both synthetic and natural. Surprisingly, both types released similar amounts of microplastics, with an average of 100 microplastics per gram of gum. Some pieces released as many as 600 microplastics per gram, according to the American Chemical Society.
The study found that most microplastics were released within the first two minutes of chewing. Lisa Lowe, a graduate student involved in the study, noted that the act of chewing is abrasive enough to cause microplastics to flake off. The polymers identified in the gum included polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polyacrylamides, and polystyrenes, commonly found in everyday plastic products.
While the health effects of microplastics on humans remain unclear, the study adds to growing concerns about the prevalence of microplastics in daily life. Dr. Mohanty emphasized that the goal of the study was not to alarm but to raise awareness about potential exposure to microplastics.
The findings suggest that individuals who chew gum frequently could significantly increase their ingestion of microplastics. The study's authors recommend chewing one piece of gum longer to reduce exposure. The research, which is currently under peer review, aims to be published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters later this year, as reported by CNN.