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It's a treat that millions of people have almost every day.
But a new study might make you think twice before reaching for the chewing gum.
Scientists from Queen's University Belfast have issued an urgent warning about the sheer number of microplastics released from the treat.
In their study, the team used a technique called 'automated Raman spectroscopy' to assess just how many particles enter your saliva through chewing.
Their analysis revealed that within just one hour, a whopping 250,000 microplastics are released.
Worryingly, the long-term effects of these microplastics on human health remain unclear.
'This study contributes to addressing micro and nano plastic pollution, which is a global concern, by introducing an effective and accessible method to detect these plastics, whilst uncovering overlooked sources of exposure, such as chewing gum,' said Dr Cuong Cao, an author of the study.
'Our findings fill gaps in micro and nano plastic detection and underscore the importance of raising awareness and highlighting chewing gum as an unrecognised source of plastic exposure.'
It's a treat that millions of people have almost every day. But a new study might make you think twice before reaching for the chewing gum (stock image)
Their analysis revealed that within just one hour, a whopping 250,000 microplastics are released
Chewing gum is predominantly made from long molecules called polymers.
Some brands of gum contain natural polymers, while others use synthetic polymers similar to plastics.
Wrigley's explains on its website: 'Gum base puts the "chew” in chewing gum, binding all the ingredients together for a smooth, soft texture.
'We use synthetic gum base materials for a consistent and safe base that provides longer-lasting flavour, improved texture, and reduced tackiness.'
While this sounds harmless, David Jones, a Sessional Teaching Fellow at the University of Portsmouth, warned that this isn't necessarily the case.
'Chemical analysis shows that gum contains styrene-butadiene (the durable synthetic chemical used to make car tyres), polyethylene (the plastic used to make carrier bags and bottles) and polyvinyl acetate (woodglue) as well as some sweetener and flavouring,' he explained in an article for The Conversation.
In their new study, the researchers set out to understand the transfer of microplastics from chewing gum into the human body.
A middle-aged male volunteer took part in the study, by first rinsing his mouth out with water and providing a reference saliva sample.
Worryingly, the long-term impacts of these microplastics on the human body remain a mystery (stock image)
He was then given a piece of chewing gum to chew for one hour, with saliva samples taken every two minutes.
The results revealed that over the course of the one-hour study, a total of 251,244 microplastic pieces were released into the volunteer's saliva - the majority of which were released during the first 20 minutes.
Worryingly, the long-term impacts of these microplastics on the human body remain a mystery.
'The microplastics that are liberated by the chewing of gum are relatively huge, and we know nothing about the effects – if any – of such large particles in the human body,' said Professor Michael Richardson and Dr Meiru Wang, scientists at Leiden University, in an article for The Conversation.
There is a growing body of evidence that plastics could play a key role in early-onset cancer genesis, where healthy cells turn cancerous.
Earlier this year, a study found cancer cells in the gut spread at an accelerated rate after contact with microplastics.
Experts have also raised the alarm about a potential between microplastics and reproductive health.
For example, scientists warned last June that they found tiny plastic particles in men's sperm.
'Some commentators think that the potential health risks of microplastics have been exaggerated, while others criticise the quality of some of the scientific studies on microplastics,' Professor Richardson and Dr Wang added.
'We are inclined to agree with these criticisms.
'Hopefully, it will not be too long before we truly understand whether the microplastic scare will turn out to be justified – or just hype.'
WHAT CAN MICROPLASTICS DO TO THE HUMAN BODY IF THEY END UP IN OUR FOOD SUPPLY?
According to an article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, our understanding of the potential human health effects from exposure to microplastics 'constitutes major knowledge gaps.'
Humans can be exposed to plastic particles via consumption of seafood and terrestrial food products, drinking water and via the air.
However, the level of human exposure, chronic toxic effect concentrations and underlying mechanisms by which microplastics elicit effects are still not well understood enough in order to make a full assessment of the risks to humans.
According to Rachel Adams, a senior lecturer in Biomedical Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, ingesting microplastics could cause a number of potentially harmful effects, such as:
- Inflammation: when inflammation occurs, the body's white blood cells and the substances they produce protect us from infection. This normally protective immune system can cause damage to tissues.
- An immune response to anything recognised as 'foreign' to the body: immune responses such as these can cause damage to the body.
- Becoming carriers for other toxins that enter the body: microplastics generally repel water and will bind to toxins that don't dissolve, so microplastics can bind to compounds containing toxic metals such as mercury, and organic pollutants such as some pesticides and chemicals called dioxins, which are known to causes cancer, as well as reproductive and developmental problems. If these microplastics enter the body, toxins can accumulate in fatty tissues.
