Aspartame-free chewing gum

Aspartame-free chewing gum is chewing gum that does not contain the cheapest synthetic sweetener, aspartame, which is considered to be a sweetener that can have negative health effects on human health. Since 2023 (July 14), aspartame has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a potentially carcinogenic substance. It should therefore be a healthier alternative to chewing gum, provided it does not contain other cheaper synthetic sweeteners.

History of chewing gum | Chewing gum with sugar, with aspartame, aspartame-free

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1) Chewing gum with sugar

Originally, only chewing gum with refined sugar was sold on the market. Due to the negative effects of sugar, manufacturers decided to move away from refined sugar in response to customer interest and began using various sugar substitutes.

2) Chewing gum with aspartame

Aspartame was very often used as a substitute. Aspartame was originally considered a great alternative because it has almost zero caloric value, does not cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels, and does not cause tooth decay. In addition, this sweetener was/is one of the cheapest sweeteners on the market. Over time, it has been proven that the synthetic sweetener aspartame has many negative health effects on the human body. And that was also the reason why it began to be researched.

Side effects of aspartame - potentially carcinogenic

Based on several studies, it was finally proven that aspartame can cause undesirable health effects on the human body. Therefore, on July 14, 2023, this synthetic sweetener was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Group 2B substance, i.e., potentially carcinogenic. This has been discussed for many years, and for this reason, customers have become more interested in chewing gum that does not contain aspartame. After the WHO defined aspartame as potentially carcinogenic, this interest increased several times over.

3) Aspartame-free chewing gum

Aspartame-free chewing gum is chewing gum that does not contain aspartame. However, it may contain other synthetic sweeteners, so it is important to be careful. In the 2020s, there is a steadily growing interest in aspartame-free chewing gum. This gum has become very popular because it has been rumored that aspartame can cause negative health problems. This has been known for years, but it was not until July 14, 2023, that the World Health Organization (WHO) defined it in its decision.

What to watch out for?!

Aspartame-free chewing gum is often sought after, but it is important to note that aspartame is replaced by other sweeteners, most often synthetic ones, which again have potential unhealthy effects. These substitutes – synthetic sweeteners – are among the cheaper ingredients, and manufacturers are not concerned with providing customers with a healthier alternative, but with deliberately removing aspartame, which is rejected by the market, from chewing gum. People don't want aspartame, and that's enough for them. It's a paradox. You are looking for healthier alternatives to chewing gum, but you are no longer concerned that aspartame has been replaced by something very similar – with negative effects on human health.

Alternative healthy chewing gum without aspartame

If you or your children chew gum regularly, you should take a closer look at the ingredients. Find out if your favorite gum contains an ingredient called "gum base." If so, beware. Ninety-nine percent of the time, these gums contain plastic materials.

Chewing gum without plastic materials and chewing gum with a natural gum base

If you want healthier alternatives to chewing gum, look for chewing gum without plastic materials or chewing gum with a natural gum base. But that's not all. Also look for gum that does not contain harmful chemicals. It is unnecessary. It does not have to be there.

The current trend of aspartame-free gum

The current trend of searching for aspartame-free gum at all costs and stopping once you find it is, in my opinion, insufficient. Aspartame-free gum is no longer enough these days. Manufacturers add other synthetic sweeteners to gum, which can also cause unwanted health effects. And that's not all.

Recommendation - look for more than just aspartame-free gum

Look for chewing gum without aspartame, but also pay attention and carefully check the ingredients on the chewing gum packaging:

• 1) Without other synthetic sweeteners - without sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol, mannitol, cyclamate!
• 2) No plastic materials (gum base without plastic materials) or with a natural gum base
• 3) No acesulfame K
• 4) No BHT and BHA
• 5) No unnecessary colorants - Allura Red, Brilliant Blue
• 6) And no other synthetic preservatives or harmful substances that have no place in chewing gum.