As of: February 26, 2024, 2:54 p.m
By: Karolin Schaefer
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During an examination, microplastics are discovered in chewing gum.
This not only pollutes the environment, but can also damage the intestines.
Kassel – Chewing gum must be regularly removed from streets and sidewalks in German municipalities.
It is not uncommon for the sticky chewing mass to be carelessly spat onto the floor instead of disposing of it in the trash.
Chewing gum is not biodegradable and is usually not very environmentally friendly.
They can also have an impact on health.
Microplastics detected in sugar-free chewing gum: “Can be harmful to health”
But what are chewing gums actually made of?
The raw material is usually produced synthetically, according to consumer window Hessen, an information portal run by the Hessian state government.
For the most part, this is only stated on the manufacturer's packaging as "chewing mass", which does not need to be declared in more detail.
Many people don't know what's really inside.
Chewing gum is based on plastics made from petroleum.
There is also a proportion of 50 to 70 percent sugar.
Plasticizers, humectants, emulsifiers, colorants and fillers are also added.
Chewing gum can contain microplastics.
© Peter Steffen/dpa
It is not uncommon for plastics such as polyvinyl acetate to be included.
This was the conclusion of a report by the Swiss consumer magazine
Saldo
, which found microplastics in twelve sugar-free chewing gums.
“Even if I spit out the chewing gum, I swallow at least some of the microplastics because the individual components of the chewing gum mix with saliva when chewing.
This can be harmful to health,” explained gastroenterologist Stephan Vavricka to the newspaper
20 Minuten
.
The EU wants to gradually ban the sale of products containing microplastics.
Microplastics in chewing gum: Can “attack the mucus layer in the intestines”
Although microplastics do not have the same effect on everyone, they can “attack the mucous layer in the intestine and, in the worst case, dissolve it,” explained the specialist.
This can lead to diarrhea, bloating, fatigue or inflammation in the intestines.
Chronic intestinal diseases could even be increased.
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There are hardly any long-term studies on the effects of tiny plastic particles in the body.
A study by the University of Amsterdam was able to detect microplastics in human blood for the first time in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Federal Environment Agency fears a possible accumulation of residues in the tissue.
But you don't have to give up chewing gum completely, emphasized Vavricka.
It is hardly possible to attribute certain diseases to microplastics.
Excessive consumption of chewing gum can have health effects
However, if consumed in excess, it can have physical effects.
According to Consumer Window Hessen, the additives contained can cause stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea and discomfort.
Chewing the rubber mass too much can strain the muscles and joints in the jaw.
In addition, the sugar substitute sorbitol promotes fructose intolerance.
Chewing gum is also harmful to the environment.
The plastics contained are not biodegradable.
Spit out chewing gum remains in nature for years and removing it is extremely time-consuming.
As an alternative to traditional plastic chewing gum, more environmentally friendly options are now available on the market.
Some chewing gums, for example, are made from chicle gum, obtained from the milky sap of tropical sapote plants or natural rubber and European tree resin, explained the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Consumer Center.
The popular Wrigley's brand chewing gum can no longer be found in supermarkets.
If chewing gum gets caught in your hair, there is a home remedy that can help.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked.
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.