Is Chewing Gum Actually Plastic?


Chewing gum seems innocent enough, but did you know that synthetic plastics are the primary ingredients used to make most gums? The "gum base" used in many of them contains items such as polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, and butyl rubber—materials that won't degrade and aren't biodegradable. So by chewing gum, we're not only getting our fill of the taste—we're ingesting plastic without even knowing it.

The Study: Microplastics in Your Saliva

Recently a pilot study proved surprising and frightening information: the chewed gum is able to discharge microplastic particles in saliva. When chewing, according to researchers' finding, about an average of 100 particles per gram is emitted from gum with up to 637 from the most heavily polluted samples. Mostly these microplastics escape after a couple of minutes or at most remain inside the mouth as well as can be swallowed. This pioneering study is among the first to actually quantify microplastics entering the human body via chewing gum—a casual activity we all do daily.

Health & Environmental Risks

Microplastics have already been associated with possible health issues like hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and cell damage. Although further studies are necessary to fully realize the long-term implications of chewing gum-based microplastics, the fact that we might be consuming plastic on a regular basis should not be dismissed. Environmentally, the effect is even more apparent. More than 1.74 trillion pieces of chewing gum are manufactured worldwide annually, many of which become street litter and sidewalk trash. These used gums ultimately disintegrate into microplastics, which cause widespread pollution.

The Way Forward: Eco-Friendly Gum Alternatives

There is good news too—some brands have now created plastic-free chewing gum made from natural ingredients such as chicle, a tree sap. They are biodegradable and far healthier for our bodies and the planet.

We can do our part as consumers by:


Final Thoughts

Chewing gum may appear to be a little habit, but this new study reveals it can have surprising effects on our health and the planet. Since we're becoming increasingly aware of the secret microplastics in the things we use, it's time to reconsider what we put in our mouths—beginning with gum. We at B. P. Poddar Hospital & Medical Research Limited pride ourselves in creating awareness of diseases that are not typically accorded the importance they deserve. Alport Syndrome—a genetic disease of the kidneys, ears, and eyes—is a disease like that. With Alport Syndrome Awareness Month being observed, we want to inform and empower our people to observe the symptoms in time and seek proper medical assistance.

What is Alport Syndrome?


Alport Syndrome is an inherited disorder resulting from mutations in the genes that code for the proteins of collagen production. Collagen is an important protein of the kidney basement membrane, inner ear, and eye. As a result of the defective collagen, Alport Syndrome patients suffer from chronic kidney disease, deafness, and ocular abnormalities.

Symptoms and Early Warning Signs


Identifying the symptoms early on can contribute a lot towards controlling the condition. Some of the most prevalent signs of Alport Syndrome are:

Why Alport Syndrome Awareness Matters


Since Alport Syndrome is a rare disease, it is most commonly mistaken for other kidney diseases. Awareness makes it possible for patients with a family history of kidney disease to be provided with genetic tests and early screening. Early detection postpones the disease's progress through modification of lifestyle, medication, and medical tests.

Treatment and Management

Alport Syndrome has no cure at the moment, but thanks to advancements in medicine, it has been possible to treat the disease successfully: