The Rise of Functional Gum

The modern concept of functional gum has its roots in the early 20th century, when William Wrigley Jr. convinced the U.S. Department of War to include his products in soldiers’ rations.

Key Components of Gum Base

The gum base is the foundation of a chewing gum product. It provides the chewy texture and helps to hold the gum together. The FDA allows gum base to contain any of dozens of approved food-grade materials. Many are not substances that people would otherwise think to put in their mouth.

More research is needed to fully understand the potential health risks of gum chewing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) do not have specific guidelines for gum chewing.

The Rise of Synthetic Gum

Synthetic gum has been around for decades, but its popularity has been on the rise in recent years. This is largely due to the growing awareness of the negative effects of traditional chewing gum on the environment.