By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu

This text appears humorous although however I’m tempted to do that write-up as a result of many feminine college students I’ve seen who’re glued to their gum. It seems that some are hooked on their gum and can’t eliminate it. However the query is why the well being advantages of chewing gum are? 

What’s chewing Gum?

The Well being line author notes that chewing gum is a gentle, rubbery substance that’s designed to be chewed however not swallowed. Helen West (2021) article additional held that the chewing gum recipes can differ based mostly on manufacturers, however all of them have the next primary substances:

• Gum. That is the nondigestible, rubbery base used to provide gum its chewy high quality.
• Resin: That is normally added to strengthen gum and maintain it collectively.
• Fillers. Fillers, equivalent to calcium carbonate or talc, are used to provide gum texture.
• Preservatives. These are added to increase shelf life. The preferred alternative is an natural compound known as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).
• Softeners. These are used to retain moisture and stop the gum from hardening. They’ll embrace waxes like paraffin or vegetable oils.
• Sweeteners. Cane sugar, beet sugar, and corn syrup are standard sweeteners. Sugar-free gums use sugar alcohols equivalent to xylitol or synthetic sweeteners equivalent to aspartame.
• Flavorings. Synthetic or natural flavorings are added to provide gum the specified style.

Most chewing gum producers maintain their actual recipes a secret. They typically check with their particular mixture of gum, resin, filler, softeners, and antioxidants as their “gum base.” All substances used within the processing of chewing gum need to be “meals grade” and categorized as fit to be eaten.

Chewing Gum, Science

Reduces Stress and boosts reminiscence

5 research (Hirano and Onozuka, 2015; Allen and Smith, 2015; Chen et al. 2015; Hirano and Onozuka, 2014; Hirano et al. 2013) display that chewing gum enhancesbrain perform, together with alertness, reminiscence, understanding, and decision-making.

Additionally, a latest randomized managed trial by Yaman-Sözbir et al. (2019) establishedthat college students who chewed gum over 7 or 19 days had decreased scores for melancholy, anxiousness, and stress in comparison with those that didn’t. Those that chewed gum additionally achieved better tutorial success.  These research are starting to wow me to begin chewing as nicely.  Examine this one as nicely: Tucha and Simpson,(2011) additionally discovered that chewing gum may present a little bit of a distraction when performing any job firstly however may make it easier to focus for longer intervals.

One other, Onyper et al. (2011) discovered an affect of chewing gum through the first 15–20 minutes of a job.  It’s attention-grabbing how simply chewing gum improves reminiscence. Some say that reminiscence improvementis on account of elevated blood stream to the mind brought on by chewing gum.

Two extra research (Smith et al. 2012; Smith, A, 2013) additionally confirmed that chewing gum may lower stress and improve emotions of attentiveness.

In a small examine (Smith and Woods, 2012)on college college students, chewing gum for two weeks decreased individuals’ emotions of stress, especiallyabout tutorial workload. As to why that is so in tutorial performances.  Two research (Kubo et al. 2015; Konno et al. 2016) defined that it has to do with the artwork of chewing which has been linked to decreased ranges of stress hormones equivalent to cortisol.

Although Allen et al. 2015 examine discovered that chewing gum improves reminiscence solely on the time of chewing the gum.  Smith, A(2016) however, discovered that the affect is extra on those that chew all through the day.

Chewing gum improves weight reduction

Research discovered that Chewing gum may benefit these making an attempt to drop pounds. It is because it’s each candy and low in energy, supplying you with a candy style with out negatively affecting your food plan

Two research(Xu et al. 2015; Lasschuijt et al. 2020) discovered that chewing gum may cut back urge for food, which mayavert overeating.

One small examine(Park et al. 2016) additionally discovered that chewing gum between meals decreased emotions of starvation and decreased consumption of high-carb snacks within the afternoon.

One other small examine(Kanno et al. 2019) discovered that chewing gum whereas strolling may assist burn extra energy.

Different research reported totally different findings. For example, two research(Mattes and Considine, 2013; Shikany et al. 2012) discovered that chewing gum doesn’t have an effect on urge for food or power consumption over a day.

Although, one examine(Swoboda and Temple, 2013)  additionally held that those that chewed gum had been much less prone to snack on fruit.  This may very well be as a result of the individuals had been chewing minty gum earlier than consuming, which made the fruit style dangerous.

Lastly,Kresge and  Melanson(2015) agreed that chewing gum might improve metabolic charge.

Chewing gum improves breath, and protects tooth

Chewing sugar-free gum may assist shield your tooth from cavities.

It’s higher in your tooth than common, sugar-sweetened gum. It is because sugar feeds the “dangerous” micro organism in your mouth, which might injury your tooth.

Nonetheless, some sugar-free gums are higher than others with regards to dental well being.

Xu et al. (2015) discovered that chewing gum sweetened with the sugar alcohol xylitol is more practical than different sugar-free gums at averting tooth decay.  Two research (Takeuchi et al. 2018; Chavan et al. 2015) defined that xylitol averts the expansion of the micro organism that trigger tooth decay and dangerous breath.

One examine (Bahador et al. 2012) discovered that chewing xylitol-sweetened gum decreased the variety of dangerous micro organism within the mouth by as much as 75%.

Lastly,Wessel et al.(2016)  held that chewing gum after a meal will increase saliva stream thus washing away dangerous sugars and meals particles, each of which feed micro organism within the mouth.

Warnings

Other than the quite a few advantages, chewing an excessive amount of gum may trigger some undesirable unwanted side effects. Moderation is all the time the important thing to all the things.

Sugar-free gums comprise laxatives and FODMAPs

The sugar alcohols used to sweeten sugar-free gum have a laxative impact when consumed in massive quantities. In a single examine, Liauwand Saibil (2019) discovered that chewing a lot of sugar-free gum may trigger digestive misery and diarrhea.  Moreover, all sugar alcohols are FODMAPs, which might trigger digestive issues for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Sugar-sweetened gum is dangerous for dental and metabolic well being

Chewing gum sweetened with sugar is dangerous for the tooth. For example, Rugg-Gunn, A(2013) defined that sugar is digested by the dangerous micro organism within the mouth, inflicting a rise within the quantity of plaque on the tooth and tooth decay over time.

Moreover, Bray and  Popkin, (2014) additionally held that consuming an excessive amount of sugar can be linked with a number of well being situations equivalent to weight problems, insulin resistance, and diabetes

Chewing gum an excessive amount of causes issues with the jaw

Frequent chewing may result in a jaw downside known as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), which causes ache once you chew. Two research (Tabrizi et al. 2014; Correia et al. 2014)discovered a hyperlink between extreme chewing and TMD.

Chewing gum, complications

Lippi et al. (2015) evaluate means that continuously chewing gum couldcause complications in these vulnerable to migraine episodes and tension-type complications, although extra analysis is required.

Take Dwelling

The really helpful is sugar-free gum made with xylitol.  Nonetheless, for these with IBS. Sugar-free gum incorporates FODMAPs, which might trigger digestive issues. Additionally, select a gum sweetened with a low-calorie sweetener equivalent to stevia. Chewing gum is mostly secure, all the time learn the label.

NB:

Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing pointers and depends on peer-reviewed research, tutorial analysis establishments, and medical associations to justify his write-ups.  My articles are for instructional functions and don’t function Medical recommendation for Therapy. I goal to coach the general public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.

The author is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist,and a science author. President, Nyarkotey Faculty of Holistic Medication & Know-how (NUCHMT), African Naturopathic Basis, Ashaiman, Ghana. E. mail: [email protected].

References

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