What Makes a Gum Truly Plant-Based?
Most people don’t think twice about what’s in their gum, but here’s the truth: most conventional gums are made from plastic. Yep, the same stuff used in water bottles, tires, and glue.
While the label might just say “gum base”, that usually means a mix of synthetic rubbers, petroleum-based waxes, and plasticizers. So if you’ve ever wondered why some gum feels a little… rubbery, that’s why.
The Problem with “Natural” Claims
Some brands market themselves as “natural” or “plant-based”, but that doesn’t always mean what you think. Many still rely on synthetic ingredients for texture or flavor, or use a small percentage of plant-based materials mixed with plastic.
A truly plant-based gum goes beyond buzzwords. It starts with what matters most: the base.
The Base Matters Most
A real plant-based gum uses chicle or other natural tree saps as its foundation, not synthetic rubber. Chicle comes from the sap of the sapodilla tree, a sustainable, biodegradable material that’s been used in gum for centuries.
When done right, this natural base gives you the same familiar chew, just without the plastic.
Ingredients You Can Actually Pronounce
The gum base is just the beginning. Every ingredient matters.
At Refresh, we use:
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🌿 Natural flavors from real mint, fruit, and botanicals
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🍃 Plant-based sweeteners like xylitol instead of aspartame or acesulfame K
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🚫 No artificial colors, preservatives, or fillers
Better ingredients = better gum. It’s that simple.
Why It Matters
Chewing plastic might not seem like a big deal, but it adds up, literally. Conventional gum doesn’t biodegrade, which means it lingers in landfills and on sidewalks for decades.
Choosing a plant-based, biodegradable gum helps reduce waste, supports sustainable sourcing, and keeps microplastics out of our environment.
The Refresh Difference
At Refresh, we built our gum around one simple idea: Chew sap, not plastic.
We use a true plant-based base, real flavors, and ingredients you can actually feel good about. The result? A gum that delivers everything you love, the crunch, flavor, and nostalgia, without any of the junk.
The Bottom Line
If it doesn’t come from plants, it’s not truly plant-based.
