What is chewing gum made of?

Chewing gum is a beloved habit for many, but have you ever wondered what’s actually in that stick or pellet of gum? Modern commercial chewing gums are concocted from a complex mix of base materials, sweeteners, flavorings, and additives. This deep dive will break down the typical ingredients of chewing gum, highlight some controversial artificial additives, and examine potential health risks.

General ingredient breakdown

Most chewing gums share a set of core components, each serving a specific purpose in creating the chewable, flavorful product we enjoy. Here’s an overview of the primary ingredients and their roles:

Gum base

This is the chewy foundation of gum—an insoluble blend that gives gum its elastic, rubbery texture. Historically, gum base was made from natural tree saps like chicle (from the sapodilla tree) or other latexes (e.g. spruce gum, mastic resin). Today, however, most gum bases are synthetic, composed of food-grade polymers (yes, essentially plastics or rubbers).

Common base ingredients include synthetic elastomers like polyisobutylene (similar to the rubber used in tires) or styrene-butadiene rubber, as well as resins like polyvinyl acetate (used in glues). Waxes (like paraffin) and fats (from hydrogenated vegetable oils) are added as softeners or plasticizers, and fillers such as calcium carbonate or talc give texture.

Because manufacturers consider gum base formulations to be proprietary, packages simply list “gum base” without detailing these sub-ingredients. Make no mistake: the gum base is often a mix of synthetic rubbery materials, emulsifiers, softeners, and fillers that together create a chewable texture¹.

Sweeteners

Chewing gum wouldn’t be much fun without its sweet taste. Most gums contain a significant amount of sweetener to make them palatable. In fact, a typical stick of chewing gum can be nearly 50-80% sugar or sugar substitutes. There are two main types of sweeteners used in chewing gum:

1. Bulk sweeteners

Bulk sweeteners provide volume and sweetness. These can be natural sugars like cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, or dextrose. Sugar alcohols (polyols) like sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, and isomalt are common in sugar-free gums. A sugar-sweetened gum might contain sugar and corn syrup as the first ingredients, whereas a sugar-free gum often lists sorbitol or xylitol first. Xylitol, in particular, is valued in many sugar-free gums (like Trident) for its natural origin (from birch wood or corn) and dental benefits (it helps reduce cavity-causing bacteria).

2. Intense sweeteners

Intense sweeteners (high-potency artificial sweeteners) are added in tiny amounts (usually under “<2%” in the ingredients) to provide a long-lasting sweetness that lingers. Chewing gum needs this because the bulk sweeteners dissolve and dissipate as you chew. Common intense sweeteners in gum include aspartame, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K), sucralose, and saccharin.

These compounds are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, so only a small amount extends the sweetness over minutes of chewing. Many popular gums use a combination of aspartame with acesulfame-K for a synergistic sweet effect. Notably, even some gums that contain sugar also include a bit of aspartame/acesulfame to prolong flavor.

Softeners (plasticizers)

To keep gum flexible and moist—and to prevent it from turning rock-hard—manufacturers add softening agents. These include ingredients like glycerol/glycerin (a humectant that retains moisture) and vegetable oils or waxes. Glycerin is very common in ingredient lists. By holding in water, glycerin helps the gum stay chewy and not crumbly. Vegetable oil or cocoa butter might also be used in some formulations. These additives don’t make the gum taste sweet, but contribute to the soft bite and mouthfeel.

Flavorings

Flavor is the soul of chewing gum, whether it’s classic peppermint, fruity burst, or spicy cinnamon. Gums contain both natural flavors and artificial flavor chemicals to create their taste. For instance, mint gums often use real peppermint or spearmint oil. These potent oils tend to comprise just ~1% of the gum’s weight, yet provide a strong flavor.

Fruity gums typically rely more on synthetic flavor compounds, because sourcing enough natural fruit extract to produce these flavors is impractical. For example, a “cherry” flavor might come from benzaldehyde (an artificial cherry flavor molecule), while “apple” may come from ethyl acetate. However, the gum’s label will usually just say “Natural and Artificial Flavors” without specifics.² These flavoring agents are encapsulated in the gum base and released gradually as you chew.

Colors and coatings

Many chewing gums (especially pellet or candy-coated gums like chiclets) include coloring agents or a hard sugar shell. Coloring may be listed in ingredients (e.g. Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, turmeric, etc.) to give the gum or its coating an attractive appearance. For instance, a green or blue mint gum might use Blue #1 dye and a yellow tint from turmeric to create a teal color.

Some pellet gums have a shiny coating made from sugar or sugar alcohol and sometimes titanium dioxide (TiO₂) for a bright white color. Notably, titanium dioxide—which was once common in gum coatings—raised health concerns and was banned as a food additive in the EU in 2022 due to potential genotoxicity.³ Many manufacturers have since removed TiO₂ from gum formulas.

Preservatives

Because oils and gum base can spoil or go rancid over time, preservatives are added to extend shelf life. The most common one in chewing gum is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), an antioxidant that protects the oils and fats in the gum from oxidizing. BHT is typically listed at the end of the ingredient list as “BHT (to maintain freshness).” Some gums may use BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) as well. These prevent the gum (especially those with natural oils or resins) from degrading and help keep flavors stable during storage.

The typical chewing gum is a highly engineered product made of a rubbery base, blended with sweetening agents, softeners, and flavor compounds, and stabilized with minor amounts of preservatives and colors. What started as a lump of tree sap in ancient times is now often a mix of food-grade chemicals.

Toxic and artificial additives in gum

While all ingredients in commercial gum are approved for food use, some of the synthetic additives and chemical ingredients have raised health concerns and controversy. Modern gum can contain substances that sound more at home in a lab or factory than in a snack. Here we highlight several potentially problematic or unwanted additives commonly found in gums:

Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame-K, sucralose)

Sugar-free gums rely on these high-intensity sweeteners, but they are not without controversy. Aspartame in particular has been under scrutiny for years. In 2023, the WHO’s cancer research arm (IARC) classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B) based on limited evidence linking very high consumption to certain cancers.⁴ (It’s important to note this classification is cautious, and food safety authorities still consider aspartame safe at typical intake levels.)

Nonetheless, the inclusion of aspartame in everyday items—from diet sodas to gum—worries some consumers. Chewing gum is a notable source; for example, Wrigley’s Extra gum and many others contain aspartame and acesulfame-K in each piece. Acesulfame-K, which is often paired with aspartame, has also raised concerns about its potential effects on the gut microbiome and metabolism, as some studies in animals suggested it might negatively alter gut bacteria and insulin responses.⁵

Sucralose (Splenda) is used in some gums and has been flagged by studies for possible DNA damage at high temperatures. It’s also been flagged for affecting gut bacteria. While regulatory agencies say these sweeteners are safe in moderation, their artificial nature—and some unsettling research findings—have led many to view them as additives to watch out for.⁶

Synthetic rubber & plasticizers in gum base

Plastic is perhaps the most surprising ingredient in gum. As noted, the gum base often contains synthetic polymers like polyethylene (the plastic used in shopping bags), polyisobutylene, and polyvinyl acetate (PVA).

These are petroleum-derived substances that make gum chewy but are non-biodegradable and, while they can be chewed and discarded, they’re not meant to be ingested. One particular concern is polyvinyl acetate, which is manufactured using vinyl acetate—a chemical that has caused tumors in rats.

In fact, the Canadian government in 2008 considered vinyl acetate a potentially toxic substance due to these cancer concerns, though industry pressure stalled an official ban.³ The issue is that consumers usually have no idea if their gum contains polyvinyl acetate or other plastics, since the label just says “gum base.”

Along with the rubber polymers, gum base includes plasticizers like paraffin (petroleum wax), petroleum oils, or glycerol esters of rosin (a pine tree resin derivative). These help soften the gum but are still rather industrial-sounding ingredients. While considered inert and safe to chew, the thought of chewing on what is essentially a wad of synthetic rubber and plastic can be a turn-off for many people.

Petroleum-derived additives

Beyond the gum base, several other common gum ingredients are derived from petroleum or are synthetic chemicals:

1. Artificial flavors and food colorings

Many artificial flavors and food colorings are petroleum-derived. For example, FD&C Blue #1 and Yellow #5 are artificial dyes synthesized from petrochemicals. Some of these dyes have been linked to hyperactivity in children among other side effects, leading to warning labels in the EU for products containing these ingredients.

Though some compounds can be chemically identical to molecules found in nature, artificial flavor compounds are often synthesized by the chemical industry and are therefore another turnoff to ingredient-conscious consumers.

2. Butylated hydroxytoluene

BHT, the preservative in many gums, is an artificial antioxidant often made from petroleum feedstock. BHT (and its cousin BHA) have suspected endocrine-disrupting effects. Animal studies have shown that BHT and BHA can affect hormone function, and BHA is officially listed in Europe as an endocrine disruptor.⁷

Over half of children’s gums in one analysis contained BHT or BHA. While the small amount in a few pieces of gum is not an acute risk, people trying to minimize exposure to possible hormone-disrupting chemicals might choose to avoid gums with these additives.

3. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂)

This white pigment was commonly used to create the hard white shell on gum or to whiten the gum base. As previously mentioned, recent research raised concerns that TiO₂ nanoparticles could damage DNA; it was deemed unsafe in food by EU authorities in 2021. Gum makers have begun phasing it out, but it may still be present in some products outside the EU. This is another example of a chemically inert yet controversial additive that has been used in chewing gum.

“Hidden” allergens or animal byproducts

While not toxic per se, consumers may be unaware that some gum ingredients have animal origins or allergenic potential. For example, stearic acid, which is sometimes used as a texture agent or to keep gum from sticking to wrappers, can be derived from animal fats (unless labeled as vegetable source). Lanolin, a wax from sheep’s wool, has been cited as a possible component of some gum bases. Soy lecithin, a common emulsifier in gum, is derived from soybeans—making it a potential allergen. These ingredients are generally present in tiny amounts, but they illustrate how chewing gum isn’t always the simple “candy” one might assume.

Modern chewing gum is a high-tech confection that may include a cocktail of artificial chemicals and polymers. Terms like “gum base” and “artificial flavor” can hide a lot of less-than-natural substances inside a single stick of gum. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every piece of gum will harm you; most of these additives are currently approved as safe. But it does explain why certain gums have earned a reputation for being “highly processed”.

Finding natural alternatives to modern chewing gum

For those looking to completely sidestep artificial additives, Greco Gum’s mastic gum is about as pure as it gets; it’s essentially chewing gum in its original form. It’s a bit different from your average gum experience, as it’s a tougher chew and it has an herbal taste instead of candy taste, but it has a dedicated following and a history of use going back millennia.

The next time you reach for a pack of gum, flip it over and scan the ingredients. You might be surprised at what you see—but now you’ll know what it all means. Happy chewing, whichever kind you choose!

This article originally appeared online in 2025; it was most recently updated on March 28, 2025, to include current information.

Bob Hanes

Bob Hanes holds an MBA in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management from the University of Buffalo. He co-founded a biotech company specializing in drug screening solutions for the pharmaceutical sector and writes informative content on health, wellness, and scientific topics.

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