Yes, most gum contains plastic. 😒
You wouldn’t know it from looking at the ingredient label! But the “gum base” is where plastic is often hidden:
Nobody wants to be chewing on plastic all day! So for this guide, I bought and tested several brands of plastic-free chewing gum brands made out of natural ingredients. I hope it will help you switch to a healthier gum without spending a bunch of your time, energy, and money on research! (But before you buy: make sure you read the disclaimer about natural gum discussed below!)
What this guide includes:
- Most Gum Contains Plastic
- A Single Piece of Gum Releases Hundreds of Microplastics
- A Big, Fat Disclaimer About “Natural” Gum
- Soooo… Should You Stop Chewing Gum Completely?
- My Reviews Of 6 “Plastic-Free” Gum Brands
- How I Did My Reviews
- Underbrush by Nathan & Sons
- Milliways
- Refresh
- Simply Gum
- Happy Eco
- Cerez Pazari Mastic Gum
- More Non-Toxic Gum Brands to Consider
- 🍋 Join Thousands of Subscribers Reducing Toxic Chemicals
This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!
Most Gum Contains Plastic
As I mentioned, the “gum base” is where plastic may or may not be hidden.
“Gum base” is an unspecific ingredient, meaning it can actually contain various things. In fact, the FDA allows 46 different ingredients under the umbrella of “gum base”, and companies don’t have to tell customers which of those ingredients are actually included in the product you’re buying.
(It’s very similar to how the word “fragrance” on a personal care product is not really one ingredient; it’s an umbrella term that can include over 3,500 different ingredients.)
This “gum base” can contain various polymers, plasticizers, resins, waxes, softeners, antioxidants, and other ingredients. The list of ingredients includes a few natural ingredients, like chicle, but it contains more petroleum-based ingredients like polyvinyl acetate and/or polyisobutylene.
(Polyvinyl acetate, or PVA, is used in things like wood glue, certain types of paint, and detergent pods & sheets. Polyisobutylene is a kind of synthetic rubber that’s often used in the inner part of tires, and it’s also an additive used for various adhesives and sealants.)
A Single Piece of Gum Releases Hundreds of Microplastics
A March 2025 study found that on average, chewing gum releases over 600 particles of microplastics per gram into your saliva.
A standard piece of gum is anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 grams, which means you’d be ingesting 900 to 1,500 microplastic particles, on average, every time you pop a fresh piece.
Microplastics are being found in practically every part of the human body: the brain, blood, lungs, heart, ovaries, testicles, breast milk, placenta, and more.
They are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke as well as decreased respiratory health, digestive health, and reproductive health. The plastic constituents (like phthalates or bisphenols) are linked to various health concerns as well.
What About Nanoplastics?
This specific study mainly looked at microplastics of a certain size: 20-micrometers-wide or larger. This is what could be detected by the instruments and techniques used.
Sanjay Mohanty, the head researcher and an engineering professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), said it’s possible that even more nanoplastics shed from gum into saliva, but that additional research is needed to evaluate the release of those smaller particles.
A Big, Fat Disclaimer About “Natural” Gum
Here’s the really bad news…
For the study I mentioned above, researchers tested both synthetic and “natural” gum brands—five of each. They hypothesized that the synthetic gums would have a lot more microplastics than the natural ones (which seems like a legit hypothesis to me!).
Buuuuut, that’s not exactly what happened. “Surprisingly, both synthetic and natural gums had similar amounts of microplastics released when we chewed them,” said Lisa Lowe, one of the graduate students working on the experiment.
When they analyzed the saliva from the person who chewed the gum, they found that both the synthetic and the natural gums contained the same polymers: polyolefins (which was the most abundant kind), polyethylene terephthalates, polyacrylamides, and polystyrenes.
What?! How is natural gum ALSO releasing microplastics?!
Well unfortunately, the researchers didn’t give a reason. They also didn’t say which natural gum brands they tested, making it very difficult to form any sort of theories as to why the natural gum is releasing almost as much microplastic as the synthetic.
One of my personal theories? 👉 The “natural” gum they tested was not actually all-natural.
Let’s look at PUR, for example. It’s marketed as a “Natural Peppermint Flavored Gum,” but then when we actually look at the ingredients, it contains “gum base” just like the standard Trident or Extra.
Spry is another example. They call it “Natural Xylitol Chewing Gum,” but the ingredients also include “gum base,” which could technically include synthetic plastic ingredients.
There are no strict regulations on the use of the word “natural”, so companies can still use this word for marketing, even if their product is not actually made from 100% natural ingredients.
This is one of the reasons why it would be really helpful to know which gum brands were tested.
A few other potential theories:
- The natural gum is being contaminated with plastic somewhere in the manufacturing process. (Plastic gloves, conveyor belts, packaging, etc.)
- The plants themselves are contaminated with plastic. Our environment is totally contaminated with microplastic at this point, so it’s possible that the actual plant material that’s being used for the natural gum (chicle, mint, etc.) is already contaminated with microplastics because the plants have pulled the tiny pieces out of the soil, water, or air as it grew.
All that to say, we definitely need more research on this! Again, I want to know which brands of “natural” gum are showing this much microplastic shedding, what the common ingredients are, and if it’s even possible to make a truly non-toxic gum.
I did reach out to most of the brands below to ask them about this study. I wondered if they’d have any more insight into where this plastic might be coming from. As of the time of publication, Underbrush is the only one that’s responded to me. They gave me a thorough and thoughtful explanation which essentially said the same thing I did above, regarding potential contamination from the environment at large as well as from the manufacturing process.
However, Nate from Underbrush also made the point that synthetic gum will further degrade into more microplastics over time, whereas truly natural gum will not.
Soooo… Should You Stop Chewing Gum Completely?
Well… That’s up to you.
To be honest: I’m not a big gum chewer. (The only reason I bought all of the gum brands for this guide was to test them for you!)
So, it’s easy for me to “give up” chewing gum based on the information from this study (at least until we have more information about specific brands).
But, if you’re a chronic gum chewer and you really don’t want to give it up, then I’m here to give you a few pointers on how to at least reduce the amount of plastic you’re eating from your gum:
How to Reduce Microplastic Exposure from Chewing Gum
If you don’t want to give up your gum chewing, here are a few things you can do:
- Chew one piece of gum for a longer period of time. The researchers from the above study found that most of the microplastics detached from gum within the first two minutes of chewing, and after eight minutes of chewing, 94% of the plastic particles collected during the tests had been released. So, if you’re going to chew gum, chewing one piece for longer can reduce the overall amount of microplastics you consume (versus chewing piece after piece after piece).
- Avoid the “gum base”, even in brands advertised as “natural.” Choose brands that ACTUALLY disclose the specific ingredients used in their gum base.
- Don’t let kids chew it. Kids are more vulnerable to the negative effects of toxic exposures. Plus, it’s probably easier to stop a gum-chewing habit before it even starts, right?
My Reviews Of 6 “Plastic-Free” Gum Brands
How I Did My Reviews
First, I researched a bunch of gum brands and purchased all of the brands with the ‘cleanest’ ingredients that are easily shipped to the U.S.
I chose brands that used natural ingredients like chicle, mastic, gum arabic, and carnauba wax for the “gummy” part.
I mostly chose the minty flavors for each brand in order to have some consistency with my reviews (and because mint is the most popular gum flavor in general). For some of the brands, I tried multiple flavors because the combo pack was all that was available.
With the exception of the Cerez Pazari Mastic Gum, I chewed each piece for at least an hour in order to find out how long the taste and texture lasted. (I just hated the Cerez Pazari one and I didn’t want to keep chewing it for an hour.) Over time, I will try and chew each brand for an even longer period of time and update this article accordingly.
Underbrush by Nathan & Sons
This one is my favorite as of right now. I first discovered them on TikTok. The videos of their gum being made are actually really cool!
What I like about it:
- They’re the most transparent about their ingredients. (And several of their ingredients are actually organic.) The info on their website is even more thorough than what’s on the box. They even go so far as to list scientific studies for why each of their ingredients is beneficial to oral health.
- It’s re-mineralizing. (More on that below.)
- They were very responsive to my questions.
- No gluten, sugar, or aspartame. (It’s not vegan though; it contains egg shell powder.)
Flavor I tried: Mastic Mint
Initial impression: I was pleasantly surprised! I was expecting it to be too-hard at first and then sticky/stringy after it’s been chewed because that’s how Simply Gum is. But the texture is great!
Portability: It comes in a little cardboard box with a cover that goes over 3/4 of the container, which means there’s no chance of it accidentally popping open in your bag. They also offer a couple of carrying cases on their website, like this stainless steel one or this wooden one, which seems a little more air tight.
Flavor strength: Medium. It’s definitely fresh, but it doesn’t make my eyes water.
How long it lasts: Over an hour.
Texture: Honestly, it feels very comparable to conventional gum. It’s the right amount of chewy and it holds together well.
My husband said he really liked it as well, which is great because not only is he is more of a gum-chewer than I am, but he’s also WAY pickier about food textures and flavors. (He hasn’t tried the other brands yet! I will add his thoughts on those later. It’s difficult to get reviews from him sometimes. 😆)
Sweetness level: It’s not super sweet; the mint flavor is definitely more prominent. But it does have a little light sweetness to it, which is nice. Overall, I really like the taste.
The remineralizing factor: As someone with lots of gum recession and multiple fillings, I need help with remineralization. Underbrush contains nano-hydroxyapatite, which is basically like the safer replacement for fluoride. (Members can get a full deep dive into hydroxyapatite here.)
Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) safety is a bit controversial, but the basics of what you need to know is that the EU’s SCCS (safety commission), after reviewing all the current data, has concluded that the safety depends on the size and shape of the nHAp. What you want to look for are rod-shaped particles that have an aspect ratio less than three. The SCCS actually approved a specific brand of nHAp called FLUIDINOVA. They are based in Portugal, and most of my favorite non-toxic toothpaste brands source from them.
When I asked Underbrush what kind of nano-hydroxyapatite they use for their gum, they told me:
“Underbrush Gum uses nHAp that’s been approved for use by the EU from one of the only approved sources. Needle-shaped nHAp is not allowed but Underbrush Gum uses only rod-shaped nHAp from one of the only approved sources specifically mentioned in the approval publications.”
Perfect—that is exactly what I wanted to hear! I’m comfortable using this nHAp and will take the remineralization assistance!
One last note about Underbrush: Be careful of counterfeits. They have a lot of people trying to knock off their gum, and some of them are very convincing.
Based in California. Made by hand in the US out of nationally and globally-sourced ingredients.
Milliways
Another brand I found out about on TikTok!
What I like about it:
- Vegan-friendly, sugar-free.
- The packaging is plastic-free.
- Their FAQ page is fun.
What I don’t like about it:
- They use “natural flavors” which is an unspecific ingredient.
They also list “natural gum base” on the box, which is an unspecific ingredient, but they list the actual ingredients on the website (gum arabic and sapodilla tree chicle sap).
Flavor I tried: Peppermint
Initial impression: It’s good! It’s kind of hard to chew at first, but the texture is good after several seconds of chewing. It has a hard outer shell.
Portability: It comes in a little cardboard box that folds closed. It’s smaller than the other brands.
Flavor strength: The strength of the peppermint is pretty strong at first, so it’s definitely refreshing.
How long it lasts: Over an hour.
Texture: As I said before, it’s a little hard to chew at first, but after ~10 seconds of chewing, the texture is good. It’s not sticky or too hard. If you like a larger piece of gum, you might want to chew two pieces at once.
Sweetness level: Medium. Not super sweet, but enough to make it enjoyable.
Based in London. Made in Europe.
Refresh
This one has the strongest mint level of all the brands I tried. This is the only one that kind of made my eyes water a bit.
Flavors I tried: Garden Mint, Peppermint, Raspberry, Peach, and Bubble Gum
What I like:
- The minty-ness is nice.
- Sugar-free, palm oil free, Certified Vegan, Project Non-GMO Verified
What I don’t like:
- Contains “natural flavors” (an unspecific ingredient that can contain some sketchy ingredients)
- It also contains “Fruit and Vegetable Juice” for the color, which is an unspecific ingredient. This isn’t concerning for me personally, but it’s not great for someone with an allergy.
Initial impression: The mint flavor is very strong for the initial couple minutes. It’s also little hard to chew at first (it’s got a hard outer shell), but it gets softer within a few seconds.
Portability: This one also comes in a square cardboard box that has a lid that folds over.
How long it lasts: Over an hour.
Texture: I don’t like the texture quite as much as Underbrush or Milliways; it’s just a little harder to chew. However, it’s not sticky like Simply Gum and it holds together well. Overall, its’s fine, but not my favorite. You might want two pieces if you like a larger piece of gum.
Sweetness level: It’s pretty comparable to the rest: it has a mild sweetness that’s nice but not super sweet.
Flavor strength: Definitely the strongest mint flavor of all of the brands I tried, especially during the first few minutes of chewing.
Both the Peppermint and the Garden Mint are nice; I honestly didn’t notice a huge difference between them. The Garden Mint has a little bit more of a sweet hint to it and the Peppermint is a little sharper.
The Raspberry and Peach flavors are nice—they’ve definitely got a sweet, fruity flavor at first. The strength of the flavor fades relatively fast though.
The Bubble Gum flavor is good, but if you’re expecting like Bubble Yum level flavor & sweetness, you should lower your expectations a little bit.
Based in NY. Made in Germany.
Simply Gum
What I like about it:
- Simply Gum is kind of the OG of this type of natural gum. I think they paved the way for other brands to improve upon the concept.
- They are transparent about their ingredients. For example, their “chicle base” contains chicle tree sap, candelilla wax, and citric acid. The Peppermint, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Fennel flavors do not include any “umbrella” ingredients like “gum base” or natural flavors.” (The Coffee and Maple flavors both contain “natural flavor”).
- I like that it comes with “post chew wraps” in the box—very convenient!
- Certified Vegan, Project Non-GMO Verified
What I don’t like about it:
- The taste and texture is not amazing. You need to lower your expectations if you’re switching from conventional gum.
- It’s pretty sticky. The gum kind of sticks between my molars and gets stretchy/stringy instead of staying in a chunk. This makes for a not-great user experience, if I’m being honest.
Flavors I tried: Peppermint, Cinnamon, Ginger, Coffee, Fennel, Maple (I had to buy a combo pack).
Initial impression: I tried Simply Gum for the first time many years ago, so I don’t really remember my true first impression. The initial texture when you first put it into your mouth is kind of hard. It takes a minute of chewing to get it to a nice soft, chewy texture.
Portability: It comes in a cardboard box that flips open. There’s a little pocket with “post chew wraps” (little pieces of paper) so that you actually have something to spit your gum out into when you’re finished with it. I appreciate this touch!
Flavor strength: It’s subtle. The Peppermint flavor is definitely minty, but not overpowering at all. It has a sweet texture to it initially, but the sweetness doesn’t last very long. The minty part of the flavor lasts a lot longer than the sweetness.
It’s been a really long time since I chewed any conventional cinnamon gum, so it’s hard to compare… But I would say it’s similar to the mint in that the Cinnamon flavor is definitely there, but it’s more subtle than something like Big Red.
The Ginger flavor is nice, but mild. As someone who has a hard time with digestion and can benefit from some post-meal ginger, I think I’ll chew this after eating sometimes. But it’s more for functional purposes, not necessarily for enjoyment.
I’m not a huge fan of the Fennel, Maple, or Coffee flavors. The Fennel tastes like licorice. The Maple one tastes like I’m chewing on pancakes, haha. And the Coffee one—what’s the point? Don’t you chew gum to get rid of your coffee breath?! 😆
How long it lasts: Over an hour. (The texture lasts longer than the flavor though.)
Based in NY. Made in the USA out of globally-sourced ingredients.
Happy Eco
What I like about it:
- Aspartame-free, GMO-free, diabetic-friendly (sugar-free), keto, Kosher, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- One tree planted with each purchase
What I don’t like about it:
- They aren’t totally transparent about their ingredients. They include a “natural gum base” without disclosing what that gum base actually contains. Honestly, this will prevent me from buying it again.
Flavor I tried: Wintergreen
Initial impression: This gum is similar to something like PUR or Mentos in the style and texture—it has that hard outer layer with the chewy part in the middle. When it comes to the taste & texture, it’s really not bad! The flavor is not super strong, but the texture is pretty standard and I don’t think regular gum chewers would be disappointed overall.
Portability: It comes in thin plastic resealable bag, making this one of the best options for portability. It’s definitely more pocket-friendly than the other options, and it’s also more water-resistant as well.
Flavor strength: It’s got a mild mint flavor that’s not super strong. It’s definitely refreshing, but it doesn’t make your eyes water like Extra gum does.
How long it lasts: Over an hour
Based in Wyoming. Made in China.
Cerez Pazari Mastic Gum
I bought this one because it looked different than the others and I was intrigued to try something unique.
I do not recommend it. 😬 I don’t like the texture or the taste.
The only ingredient listed is “Natural Gum Mastic.” They say they get the resin from mastic trees sourced directly from Chios Island in Greece.
Some positive things about it is that it’s gluten-free, sugar-free, non-GMO, and vegan.
Flavor I tried: Unflavored (the only option)
Initial impression: NOT A FAN.
Portability: It does come in a pocket-friendly resealable bag, which is convenient. But, it also says you’re supposed to store the gum in the refrigerator for at least an hour before chewing. So in that way, it’s actually not very portable.
Flavor strength: There isn’t much flavor at all. It’s not minty or sweet. It’s slightly earthy which is not very pleasant at first. It’s not too bad after it fades, but it’s still not great. It’s definitely not going to freshen your breath or anything.
Texture: It’s way too hard. It’s difficult to chew at all, to be honest. I spit it out after a few minutes because it wasn’t pleasant. It is advertised as a “Jaw Exerciser” on Amazon though; I would say that is true! 😆 I know jaw exercises are trendy right now, so if you’re interested in that, then maybe this gum is for you!
How long it lasts: I don’t know; it was too hard immediately. Like I said, I only chewed it for a couple of minutes and then spit it out.
Made in Turkey.
More Non-Toxic Gum Brands to Consider
- Chewsy: I actually ordered this one, but I haven’t received it yet. I’ll add it to my review once I get it.
- Chicza: This looks like a good option, but it’s not available in the United States.
- Georganics: This is a good option if you’re in the U.K.
- Nuud: Another pretty good option if you’re in the U.K. (Does contain “natural flavoring” though.)
Will the study I talked about above prevent you from chewing any gum at all? Have you tried any of the brands listed here? Are there any other brands you’re wondering about? Let me know in the comments!
