Can chewing gum impact your memory? Study says it has microplastics

嚼口香糖会影响记忆力吗？研究显示其含有微塑料

Chewing gum is a popular habit, usually associated with fresh breath and better concentration. But recent research by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shows that with each piece of gum chewed, you could unknowingly be ingesting thousands of tiny plastic pieces. These microplastics can impact your nervous system.

嚼口香糖是一种常见习惯，通常与清新口气和增强专注力相关联。然而，加州大学洛杉矶分校最近的研究表明，每嚼一片口香糖，你可能在不知不觉中摄入了数千个微小的塑料颗粒。这些微塑料会对你的神经系统造成影响。

"Contrary to the original gum based on tree sap, modern gum base is virtually plastic. Most chewing gums today have synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, substances used often in plastic bags and glues. As you chew, friction and saliva slowly decompose the surface of the gum, sending thousands of tiny plastic particles into your mouth. These particles mix with saliva and are either swallowed or absorbed by the body," says Dr Aditya Gupta, Director, Neurosurgery & Cyberknife, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.

古尔冈阿耳忒弥斯医院神经外科与网络刀中心主任阿迪蒂亚·古普塔博士说：“与现代基于合成材料的口香糖不同，最初的口香糖是以树液为基础的。如今，大多数口香糖都含有聚乙烯和聚醋酸乙烯酯等合成聚合物，这些物质常用于塑料袋和胶水中。当你咀嚼时，摩擦和唾液会慢慢分解口香糖的表面，将数千个微小的塑料颗粒送入你的口中。这些颗粒与唾液混合，要么被吞下，要么被身体吸收。”

Even though studies on microplastics in gum are few at this point, studies of other sources of microplastic exposure indicate that brain health may be at risk. Microplastic particles have been known to breach biological barriers like the lining of the gut and, in some instances, even the blood-brain barrier. This is serious business in terms of what they might do to the nervous system.

尽管目前关于口香糖中微塑料的研究还不多，但其他来源的微塑料暴露研究表明，大脑健康可能面临风险。已知微塑料颗粒能够突破生物屏障，如肠道内壁，在某些情况下，甚至能突破血脑屏障。就它们可能对神经系统造成的影响而言，这是一个严重的问题。

The study, which is currently under peer review, has found that 100 microplastics were released by every gram of gum. Some products released up to 600 microplastics per gram. So if the piece of gum is of a bigger size, it could release more than 1,000 microplastics into our mouths, which we would swallow. Hence the concern.

这项目前正在接受同行评审的研究发现，每克口香糖会释放100个微塑料。有些产品每克甚至能释放多达600个微塑料。因此，如果口香糖块头更大，它可能会向我们的口中释放超过1000个微塑料，而这些微塑料会被我们吞下。因此，这引起了人们的担忧。

Microplastics have the potential to cause an immune reaction in the body, resulting in long-term inflammation. Brain inflammation has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

微塑料有可能在人体内引发免疫反应，导致长期炎症。大脑炎症与阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病等神经退行性疾病有关。

Exposure to microplastics can also raise oxidative stress, a process that harms nerve cells and speeds up brain ageing. This can, over time, impair mental functions and trigger neurological disorders.

接触微塑料还会增加氧化应激，这一过程会损害神经细胞并加速大脑衰老。随着时间的推移，这可能会损害精神功能并引发神经系统疾病。

Some plastic pieces are endocrine disruptors, interfering with brain-function-regulating hormones. This may influence mood, cognition and even memory. Although the long-term consequence of microplastics from gum is not well known, repeated exposure from many sources does impact brain health.

一些塑料颗粒是内分泌干扰物，会干扰调节大脑功能的激素。这可能会影响情绪、认知甚至记忆力。尽管口香糖中的微塑料对健康的长期影响尚不清楚，但来自多个来源的反复接触确实会影响大脑健康。

The nervous system is very sensitive to toxins. Studies in animals indicate that exposure to microplastics can affect learning, memory and motor skills. Although human research continues to progress, it is important to be mindful of possible hazards, particularly for those who chew gum frequently.

神经系统对毒素非常敏感。动物研究表明，接触微塑料会影响学习、记忆和运动技能。尽管人类研究仍在继续，但重要的是要意识到可能存在的危害，尤其是对于那些经常嚼口香糖的人来说。

While additional research is required to identify the full range of risks, cutting back on plastic-based chewing gum use might be a good idea.

虽然还需要进一步的研究来确定微塑料带来的全部风险，但减少使用基于塑料的口香糖可能是一个好主意。

Switching to natural gum products produced from chicle, a plant resin, can reduce exposure to microplastics. But they should not be processed. Eating a diet that includes high levels of antioxidants can also offset oxidative stress due to exposure to environmental toxins.

改用由天然树胶（一种植物树脂）制成的天然口香糖产品可以减少微塑料的暴露。但它们不应经过加工。食用富含抗氧化剂的食物也可以抵消因接触环境毒素而产生的氧化应激。