Many people chew gum because they think it tastes good, want to improve bad breath, or think the tiny treat will keep weight-gaining hunger pangs at bay. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: You should stay as far away from it as possible. Sorry to burst your bubble everyone, but it's true.

Turns out, there's a lot of health-harming, unnatural ingredients in traditionally-made gum. Everything from petroleum and glycerin, to petroleum wax, aspartame and latex, lurks in that wad of chewing gum – and it gets worse.

A "How it's Made" video provides even more shocking details, including the fact that gum was first patented – interestingly – by a dentist in 1869. The introduction of bubblegum came later, and although it used to be made of tree resin, it eventually came to be synthetically made from plastic and rubbers. Yes, plastic and rubbers! This synthetic version is what you're chewing every time you make your gum choice in the candy aisle or supermarket checkout area.