Chewing material has a history that spans thousands of years, dating back to ancient times. Historical research shows that people in Europe used birch bark tar as a chewing substance around 9,000 years ago This natural material was used not only as a pastime but also for its antiseptic and soothing properties In the Americas, ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and Aztecs used the sapodilla tree (Sapodilla) and chewed its resin to quench thirst, reduce hunger, and as a chewing material This natural resin, known as “chicle,” formed the foundation of modern chewing gums Chicle was the primary ingredient in natural gum production until the early 20th century However, over time and with industrial progress, synthetic materials replaced chicle to make gum production cheaper and more diverse Nevertheless, chicle is still used in some natural and organic products Today, chewing gum is not only recognized as a recreational product but also praised for benefits such as freshening breath, reducing stress, and promoting oral hygiene
