Microplastics detected in saliva from chewing gum
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Recent research suggests that chewing gum can release microplastics directly into human saliva. Scientists discovered that many widely available gum brands, especially those containing synthetic polymers, can shed hundreds to thousands of microscopic plastic particles during chewing. The study analyzed ten popular gum products in the U.S. These results raise concerns about the potential health impacts of long-term microplastic exposure and highlight the need for further research into common sources of microplastic intake.
Source
Cox, K. D., Covernton, G. A., Davies, H. L., Dower, J. F., Juanes, F., & Dudas, S. E. (2019). Human Consumption of Microplastics. Environmental science & technology, 53(12), 7068–7074. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01517
Additional Reading
https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/health/gum-microplastics-study-wellness