Last updated on March 17th, 2026 at 05:22 pm

I hate to burst your bubble, but most chewing gum is made of plastic—literally.
Conventional gum contains synthetic “gum base” (like polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate), meaning you’re chewing the same materials used in plastic bags and glue.

Natural gum made with chicle, a tree sap, is a biodegradable, plastic-free alternative that’s better for both your health and the environment.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What’s really in conventional gum
• Why it contributes to microplastics
• Whether xylitol gum is actually better
• The best natural chicle gum brands

What is gum made of?

For such a small stick, traditional chewing gum is loaded with ingredients, most of them synthetic. Some are bad for your health, while nearly all are bad for the planet.

Gum base

Gum base is the core component of chewing gum, and when you find it listed on the ingredient label, that’s your cue that you’ve been blowing bubbles with fossil fuels. Gum base is a catch-all term for a variety of ingredients, commonly polyvinyl acetate, a substance used to produce glue and other adhesives, and polyethylene, the plastic used in water bottles and bags.

Sweeteners

Since chewing gum sweetened with natural sugar is bad for your teeth, many gums tout being ‘sugar-free,’ but in turn replace it with artificial sweeteners, which are arguably worse in other ways.

Sugar alcohols

These ingredients are derived from plants, usually beets or GMO corn, but through chemical hydrogenation, these sugars are altered into highly processed sugar alcohols. They are considered safe, but can create GI effects in some people. Sorbitol, mannitol, and maltitol syrup are the most commonly used.

Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, added so that gum lasts longer without extra calories. Some of these are controversial due to breakdown products–or lack of breakdown at all, which leads to contaminated waterways. Sucralose, neotame, acesulfame K, and aspartame–an especially nefarious ingredient due to its possible link with serious health conditions.

In addition, products containing aspartame include an additional warning about one of its components, phenylalanine, an amino acid that cannot be metabolized by phenylketonurics, or people with a condition called PKU.

Flavors

Gum may be flavored with artificial flavors, natural flavors, or a combination of both. While artificial flavors are considered safe, they are produced in a lab from synthetic ingredients that are not found in nature, which are frequently petroleum-based. And ‘artificial flavor’ is a very broad term, where specific ingredients are not required to be disclosed; thus, you really don’t know what you’re getting. ‘Natural flavor’ is not much better–ingredients must start from natural sources, but may end up being heavily processed. Listing specific ingredients used for flavor is best.

Colors

Artificial dyes and colors are–you guessed it–petroleum-based. They are frequently present in untreated wastewater, leading to contamination and disruption of aquatic ecosystems. In humans, they have been linked to various health concerns, such as developmental effects in children, hyperactivity, and even tumors.

Additives & Fillers

Gum contains additional ingredients to create its signature texture.

• Glycerol or glycerin – a humectant to keep gum moist, derived from vegetable oils (such as palm oil, which is associated with significant deforestation and labor abuses) or petroleum; usually the latter.
• Maltodextrin – a highly processed carbohydrate, likely derived from GMO corn, that is used as a filler, bulking agent, or to carry flavor.
• Soy Lecithin – likely sourced from GMO soy, it is used as an emulsifier, which prevents ingredients from separating and gives gum a smooth texture.

Preservatives

The preservative of choice in gum is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), a synthetic chemical that is banned in some countries for its suspected role in endocrine disruption, and may even be a carcinogen.

Gum packaging

Mixed materials, i.e. those made from multiple types of materials, are not recyclable. This means foil-and-plastic blister packs and foil-lined paper wrappers must go into the trash.

Is gum biodegradable?

Microplastics in gum

Any type of plastic will shed tiny particles of microplastics, and gum is no exception. In March 2025, UCLA researchers released findings of a pilot study that determined that chewing gum leads to hundreds to thousands of microplastic pieces being released into saliva (and likely ingested).

That means every time you chew conventional gum, you may be directly ingesting microplastics—not just contributing to environmental pollution

Microplastics have been found in our bloodstream, organs, breast milk, placentas, and have even been discovered crossing the blood-brain barrier. Data continues to emerge on the health effects of microplastics in our bodies, but they are already linked to significant issues. Learn more about microplastics here.

Xylitol gum

Gum sweetened with xylitol is a popular choice for aspartame-free gum or as an alternative to sugar. But what is xylitol?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, much like the aforementioned sweeteners (sorbitol, mannitol)–plant-derived and processed to be structurally similar to natural sugars. It is the best choice of sugar alcohols for sweetening for many reasons:

• Taste – Closest to sucrose (table sugar) in sweetness, no bitter or chemical aftertaste.
• Dental health – Proven to reduce Streptococcus mutans (the cavity-causing bacteria).
• Blood sugar – Has a low glycemic index, so it spikes blood glucose and insulin far less than sugar or maltitol.
• Tolerability – Gentler on digestion than sorbitol or maltitol.
• Calories – About 2.4 kcal/g vs. sugar’s 4 kcal/g.

Xylitol gum is often referred to as dental gum because of xylitol’s ability to help remineralize enamel by increasing saliva flow and neutralizing acids in your mouth after eating, in addition to reducing bacteria. Just be aware that pretty much all dental gums, although sugar-free, still contain gum base–and likely other synthetic ingredients. So while xylitol or dental gums may be a healthier option, they are not necessarily natural gums.

It is also important to note that xylitol is very toxic to dogs.

What is natural gum?

Instead, choose natural, plant-based gum. Instead of ‘gum base,’ all-natural gum is composed of chicle, which is sap sourced from the sapodilla tree, in a similar way to tapping maple trees for their sap to produce syrup. This collection does not harm or kill the tree, and after 12 to 14 years, sap may be collected again.

Chicle was the original gum base, chewed by Mayans and used for a brief period in early chewing gum in the United States until after WWII, when it was largely replaced by synthetic ingredients, which are cheaper and easier to mass-produce.

Besides being plant-based, chicle gum is generally free from artificial additives and often packaged in paper boxes rather than plastic.

The biggest downside of natural gum is that it loses its flavor quickly compared to traditional gum; thus, the reason companies started adding synthetic ingredients for long-lasting flavor.

Traditional vs Natural chewing gum

Ingredient	Traditional Gum	Natural gum
Base	‘Gum Base’ (petroleum-based)	Chicle (plant-based)
Sweeteners	Artificial: Aspartame, Sucralose, Neotame, Acesulfame K. Sugar Alcohols (Sorbitol, Mannitol, Maltitol Syrup)	Xylitol Stevia Leaf
Colors	Artificial colors	Plant-based colors
Flavor	Artificial/Natural Flavors	Plant Oils, Powdered Fruit
Additives	Glycerol/Glycerin Maltodextrin, Soy Lecithin	Vegetable-based Glycerin, (possibly palm-free); Candelilla or Carnuaba Wax, Citric Acid, Gum Arabic
Preservatives	BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)	None
Packaging	Plastic, or other non-biodegradable/non-recyclable materials	Commonly packaged in recyclable/biodegradable paperboard

Best natural chewing gum brands

Unfortunately, demand for natural chewing gum has led to the demise of some great products, leaving us with few options. Just in the time I planned to write this post, two of my recommended products disappeared from shelves; the Honest Co. has discontinued its chicle gum, and Glee, a chewing gum business for over thirty years, was forced to close its doors due to numerous operational challenges.

The good news is that the remaining two best natural gum brands are enough to fill the void for great-tasting, natural, and healthy gum.

Refresh

Refresh is my favorite natural gum. The flavors are great; the garden mint tastes as fresh as chewing on a mint leaf–probably because it’s flavored with organic mint oil. The gum looks palatable, dyed with vegetable and fruit juices, and the texture is very close to traditional gum, making this brand an easy transition.

• Ingredients – Natural, plant-based colors and oil flavors are used–many are organic. Glycerin is produced from coconuts, rather than palm oil (or petroleum). All are Certified Vegan and Non-GMO.

• Sweetener – Refresh gums are all sugar-free, instead sweetened with xylitol and stevia leaf extract.

• Flavors
  • Garden Mint
  • Peppermint
  • Raspberry
  • Bubble Gum
  • Peach

• Packaging – Recyclable/compostable paperboard box

• Price – $17.99 for a 6-pack containing 12 pieces each

Simply Gum

Simply Gum offers chicle gum with both traditional and unique natural flavors, which come from plant oils. The appearance of each piece remains the same, which, quite frankly, looks very natural–a basic brown, almost cardboard-like color. While it may not look delicious, the flavors make up for its lack of visual appeal.

• Ingredients – No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Most ingredients are organic, and all are Certified Non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher. Free from dairy, soy, nuts, corn, and wheat. All gums are gluten-free, except the maple flavor.

• Sweetener – Gums are sweetened with organic raw cane sugar, which is approximately 1 gram per piece. However, sugar-free options are available, sweetened with plant-based xylitol.

• Flavors

• Packaging – Plastic-free uncoated paperboard box. Included with the pack are convenient little wrappers for spent gum–a very nice touch.

• Cost – 6 packs of 15 pieces each, $17.99

Final thoughts on natural gum

I’ll be frank: the switch to chicle gum takes some adjustment. Gone are the strong, juicy flavors and that uber-rubbery texture you’re used to. The flavor of chicle gum is more subtle, and the texture is softer, less chewy, and doesn’t work for bubble blowing.

But the more I’ve chewed it, the more I have become used to natural gum. So give it a chance, and chew with the peace of mind that you aren’t chewing on fossil fuels and ingesting microplastics, preservatives, and other nasty ingredients. And since this gum is more pricey than the stuff you can pick up at any gas station, it wouldn’t hurt to perhaps consume just a bit less.

Want to eliminate more additives and harmful ingredients? Check out Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Everyday Life.