The Numerous, Scientifically-Proven Health Benefits of Chewing Gum
Chewing gum has a vast history and many
cultural meanings. It is considered rude to chew it in front of another
person, but oral hygiene companies swear by its health benefits,
especially when chewed after a meal. Its sticky presence lines the
undersides of school tables, checkout lines in grocery stores, and the
soles of our shoes on a hot summer day. While irritating, there are
numerous ways to remove gum from clothes. But in this article, we'll
dive deep into the scientifically proven health benefits of chewing gum.
What Is Chewing Gum Made Of?
Every candy company has its own secret
recipe, but the basis of every chewing gum is the same: a rubber base
held together with resin, preservatives, oils, or waxes that keep the
rubber from hardening, fillers like calcium carbonate that add texture,
as well as colorants and added flavors. Some well-known artificial
sweeteners include Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose, Mannitol, Maltitol,
Sorbitol , and Xylitol. We'll discuss the benefits of Xylitol later on
in the article. You can check out this post that demonstrates the
process of making bubble gum.
Chewing gum dates back to ancient cultures like the Mayans, the Aztecs,
and even the Ancient Greeks - long before the invention of rubber. What
did our ancestors chew, then? They chewed on chicle, the raw latex resin
that comes from the Sapodilla tree. The tree produces this tasteless
and odorless sap to protect itself from injuries.
What Are the Health Benefits of Chewing Gum?
Reducing Stress & Boosting Memory
The one sensorial pleasure that lasts from infancy into adulthood is
chewing. It calms us as much as it calms our babies! Try to think back
to a time in your life when you couldn't chew solid food. How miserable
was that? Chewing gum increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain,
which, in turn, increases brain functioning. It helps calm and sharpen
the mind, as well as keeps you alert when you're sleepy.
Aiding in Oral Health & Reducing
Heartburn
In addition, chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps lower
the acidity in the mouth and the esophagus. This protects your tooth
enamel and eases heartburn or acid reflux symptoms as long as the gum
you're chewing is either sugar-free or contains Xylitol. Xylitol is a
sugar alcohol that doesn't feed the bacteria in your mouth as processed
sugar does. It prevents the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay
and bad breath, as research shows. The results are clear:
"xylitol-containing chewing gum inhibits the increase in total salivary
bacteria over a short time during which the salivary microbial
composition is not affected."
And lastly, chewing gum may help you with nausea, especially if it's
natural mint or ginger gum. According to doctors, "This is especially true
for motion sickness and morning sickness during pregnancy." Some
studies even found that chewing gum helps with intestinal recovery after
a C-section!
Don't Go Overboard
As with everything we consume, and we do
mean everything, the poison is in the dosage. Too much of anything is
too much, so don't go chewing gum every waking hour of the day, as it
may damage your jaw or digestive system. To be crystal clear, chewing
gum for 20 minutes once or twice daily is completely rational and is not
considered excessive. The only reservation to this statement is for
people who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), who may suffer from
digestive symptoms caused by artificial sweeteners.