Do you enjoy chewing gum and savoring the sweetness and freshness it brings? Are you curious about how gum was invented, its benefits and drawbacks, and the fun things you can do with it? If these questions pique your interest, then join me on a fascinating journey to explore the wonders of gum.
Ingredients of chewing gum
Generally speaking, chewing gum contains gum base, sweeteners, flavors, softeners, pigments, and functional substances. Gum base is the key raw material for chewing gum's chewing performance, and its composition is relatively complex, which may be natural gum or synthetic rubber. Sweeteners are white sugar and glucose ground into fine powder, or low-calorie sugar substitutes such as xylitol and aspartame. Flavors are usually liquid flavors of various mint and fruit flavors, or special flavors such as powder or microcapsules. Softeners are substances such as glycerin, which help improve the hardness and softness of chewing gum and bind various ingredients. Pigments are substances used to enhance the visual effect of chewing gum, such as caramel color and carmine. Functional substances are substances used to increase the health benefits of chewing gum, such as vitamins, calcium, and herbal extracts.
![Gum base]( "Gum base")
Changes in chewing gum
Have you ever had such an experience: opening a bag of candies that have been stored for a long time, wanting to taste the sweetness, only to find that they have become extremely hard and unchewable? Or have you ever had such an experience: chewing on a piece of gum, wanting to enjoy the fresh breath, only to find that it gets harder and harder as you chew, eventually turning into a sticky mass? These are all phenomena where candies, gum, and the like become hard after being stored for a long time.
So, why is it like this? Actually, there are mainly the following reasons:
Loss of moisture. Chewing gum contains a certain amount of moisture, which keeps it soft and elastic. However, if chewing gum is exposed to the air for a long time or stored in a dry environment, the moisture will gradually evaporate or be absorbed, causing the gum to become dry and hard. This is similar to how bread or crackers left out for too long become less delicious.
Crystallization of reducing sugars. Reducing sugars are monosaccharides or disaccharides that can be reduced by reducing agents, such as glucose, fructose, and maltose. Reducing sugars play a role in enhancing the solubility and anti-crystallization properties of sucrose in chewing gum. However, they also have water absorption properties. If the water is lost, the reducing sugars will crystallize, forming small particles. These small particles will disrupt the continuity and ductility of the chewing gum, making it brittle and hard.
Dissolution of oils and fats. Oils and fats, such as vegetable oil and animal oil, are organic compounds that are insoluble in water. They play a role in softening and lubricating chewing gum, but they can also dissolve the gum base of chewing gum, reducing its viscosity and strength. If chewing gum contains foods with oils and fats, such as melon seeds, peanuts, and potato chips, the oils and fats will be released when chewed, dissolving the chewing gum and making it soft or decompose.
The influence of temperature. Temperature is an important factor affecting the state of matter. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature, the easier it is for matter to become soft or melt; the lower the temperature, the easier it is for matter to become hard or solidify. Chewing gum is no exception. If chewing gum is placed in a high-temperature place, such as under the sun or near a fire source, it will become softened or sticky; if it is placed in a low-temperature place, such as a refrigerator or cold storage, it will become hard or brittle.
The pleasure of chewing gum
Now that you have learned about the ingredients and variations of chewing gum, have you developed more interest and curiosity in it? Chewing gum is not only a delicious dessert, but also a toy that fosters creativity and imagination. You can use chewing gum to do all sorts of fun things, showcasing your talent and personality. Of course, chewing gum should be consumed in moderation and at appropriate times. Avoid overconsumption or prolonged chewing, and never swallow chewing gum to avoid adverse consequences. If you want to keep chewing gum fresh and delicious, you should also pay attention to methods such as sealing and storing it properly, avoiding high temperatures, and keeping it away from oils and fats.
Author: Wuxi Gum Base
Publication Date: 10/25/2025
