Chewing gum

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Bubble gum at the Haribo factory

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Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed for chewing but not swallowing. Modern chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavors, colors, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Its texture is reminiscent of rubber due to the physical-chemical properties of its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which contribute to its elastic-plastic, sticky, chewy characteristics.

History

The history of chewing gum dates back to ancient civilizations. The ancient Greeks chewed mastic gum, made from the resin of the mastic tree. Similarly, the Mayans and Aztecs chewed chicle, a natural gum from the sapodilla tree. In the 19th century, modern chewing gum was developed when chicle was imported to the United States and used as a base for commercial gum products.

Composition

Chewing gum typically consists of the following components:

• Gum base: The non-digestible, rubbery part of the gum that provides the chewiness.
• Sweeteners: These can be sugar or sugar substitutes like xylitol, sorbitol, or aspartame.
• Softeners: Ingredients like glycerin or vegetable oil that help maintain moisture and flexibility.
• Flavorings: Natural or artificial flavors that give the gum its taste.
• Colorings: Dyes that give the gum its color.

Types of Chewing Gum

There are several types of chewing gum, including:

• Bubble gum: Designed to be inflated out of the mouth as a bubble.
• Sugar-free gum: Contains sugar substitutes and is often marketed as being better for dental health.
• Functional gum: Contains added ingredients like caffeine, vitamins, or herbal extracts for additional benefits.

Health Effects

Chewing gum has both positive and negative health effects. On the positive side, sugar-free gum can help reduce cavities and plaque by stimulating saliva production. However, excessive chewing can lead to jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Environmental Impact

Chewing gum is a significant litter problem due to its non-biodegradable nature. Efforts are being made to develop biodegradable gum bases to mitigate this issue.

Related Pages

• Bubble gum
• Sugar-free gum
• Xylitol
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Saliva

See Also

• History of chewing gum
• Gum base
• Chicle
• Mastic (plant resin)