Benefits and limitations
Rubber candy is made from a type of sugarcane, sweetener, flavorings and other ingredients. Natural rubber products use plant-based polymeas, such as chicle plastic or other plant materials to create durability, while other products use synthetic rubber, made from polymeasins derived from petroleum.
Although chewing gum can help increase concentration in the short term, this benefit does not last long and can be accompanied by side effects such as jaw pain and increased stress. Therefore, the use of rubber candy needs to be controlled and not overused.
Dr Aditya Gupta, Director, Neurosurgery, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram (India), said that constantly chewing gum can lead to jaw strain, causing pain and fatigue. Prolonged chewing also stimulates the production of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, increasing stress levels rather than reducing them. In addition, focusing too much on chewing can cause us to lose focus on important tasks.
Rubber and cosmetics
A study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shows that traditional gum is often made from plastic, but with modern rubber, they can contain synthetic polyols such as polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, which are often found in plastic bags and glue.
When chewed, rubbing and saliva will break down the surface of the gum, releasing thousands of micro-lastic particles into the mouth. These seeds can be swallowed or absorbed into the body, affecting the nervous system.
Anti- playster has the ability to break down biological barriers, such as the lining of the intestines and the blood brain barrier, posing a risk to the nervous system.
Impact of microplastics on brain health
According to Dr Aditya Gupta, microplastics can cause long-term inflammation in the body, leading to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Exposure to microplastics also increases oxidative stress, damages nerve cells and accelerates brain aging. Plastic scraps can also affect hormones, affecting mood, cognition and memory.
Although studies on microplastics in humans are still ongoing, studies in animals have shown that microplastics can affect learning ability, memory and mobility. Therefore, long-term exposure to microplastics from many sources can be harmful to the brain.
