Chewing gum shedding microplastics into our bodies, researchers warn

DPA via Yahoo ^ | 3/27/24 | DPA

[DallasBiff]

Chewing gum can secrete tiny plastic particles into saliva and bloodstreams, scientists in the US and China say, pointing to the latest source of microplastics in the human body.

In a paper presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) spring meeting on March 25, a team of engineers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) explained that they found "hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece" of gum in saliva after chewing.

"Our initial hypothesis was that the synthetic gums would have a lot more microplastics because the base is a type of plastic," said Lisa Lowe of UCLA, who said that when chewed, "both synthetic and natural gums had similar amounts of microplastics released."

[DallasBiff]

For years everybody knew gum was not good for teeth.

But I guess UCLA wants to ban Wrigley's and Nicorette.

Who funds this nonsense?

[Blueflag]

OK, what exactly are these microplastics, chemically, and how do they cross the gut-blood barrier?

There’s lots of stuff that enters the gut and never enters the body.

Tell me more or this is just BS.

[Blueflag]

I asked a couple AI tools. They all say this -

“Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in size”

Tell me again how even a .1mm chunk of plastic gets in the bloodstream?

[frank ballenger]

We can’t have red candies and now they’re attacking gum.
Maybe Bazooka can be sued for promoting gun violence by the name on the wrappers.

But remember the lofty “experts” said to shun butter. A few years later studies showed the alternatives were worse and a little butter was helpful.

Same with “coffee will kill you” followed by “daily coffee drinkers live longer. Research shows coffee promotes health.”

[rexthecat]

No one chews gum anymore.

[Flaming Conservative]

They make gum with plastics?? Paging RFKJR. (Don’t take my gum away, though; just make it healthier.)

[stockpirate]

Bump

[miniTAX]

‘Tell me more or this is just BS.’

---

Just BS. The ‘science’ behind tbis microplastics hysteria us atrocious.
What they don’t tell also is the first and foremost source of plastics in humans is cellulose. They call it... fibers and it’s supposed to be a must in any ‘healthy’ diet.

[Blueflag]

Kinda suspected that.

I’m sure microplastics cause swine flu and make COVID spread.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

A person is more likely to be killed by a feral urban dweller than chewing gum.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

A person is more likely to be killed by a feral urban dweller than chewing gum.

[dfwgator]

[Secret Agent Man]

I dont worry about gum knifing me while I sleep.

[minnesota_bound]

My sister fell for this new scam of microplastics.
I sent her some gum, this is her reply:

Hi, received the gum. Thank you. Did you know that gum is made out of microplastics? I love my gum but when I found out how it was made I started looking for all natural. Pine gum made from the sap of tree was all I could find.

_______________________

Trident Perfect Peppermint Sugar Free Gum: Chewing Trident peppermint gum for 20 minutes after eating freshens breath and stimulates saliva flow to help prevent cavities and strengthen teeth.

Epic Gum - Aspartame Free 100% Xylitol - Chewing Gum Sugar Free Gum - Peppermint Flavored. Keeps teeth healthy.