Chewing Gum... Does It Negatively or Positively Affect Your Health?

SadaNews - Gum is a soft and elastic substance designed for chewing, not swallowing. People have been chewing gum in various forms for thousands of years. The first gum was made from the sap of trees, such as spruce or Manilkara zapota.

However, most modern types of gum are made from synthetic rubber. All the ingredients used in the manufacturing of gum must be safe for human consumption.

Are gum ingredients safe?

Most gum manufacturers keep their exact recipes a secret. They often refer to their specific blend of gum base, resin, fillers, softeners, and antioxidants, according to Healthline.

Generally, gum is considered safe. However, some types of gum contain small amounts of controversial ingredients, including:

- Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT)

- Titanium Dioxide

- Aspartame

- Color additives

Even in these cases, the amounts are much lower than those considered harmful.

Are there any benefits to chewing gum?

- Stress relief and memory enhancement

Studies have shown that chewing gum while performing tasks can improve various aspects of brain function, including alertness, memory, comprehension, and decision-making.

Experts do not fully understand how chewing gum boosts memory. One theory suggests that this improvement is due to increased blood flow to the brain as a result of chewing gum.

Studies have also indicated that chewing gum may relieve stress and enhance feelings of alertness.

This may be due to the chewing process, which has been associated with lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol.

- Weight loss

Chewing gum may be a helpful tool for those trying to lose weight. This is because it is sweet-tasting and low in calories, giving you a sweet flavor without negatively impacting your diet.

Some research also indicates that chewing gum may reduce appetite, which could prevent overeating.

However, more research is needed to determine whether chewing gum results in long-term weight changes.

- Protecting your teeth

Chewing sugar-free gumcan help protect your teeth from cavities, and it is better for your teeth than regular sugary gum, as sugar feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth, which can damage your teeth.

Moreover, chewing gum after meals increases saliva flow, helping to eliminate harmful sugars and food residues, both of which feed bacteria in your mouth.

Does chewing gum have any side effects?

While chewing gum has some potential benefits, excessive chewing may cause some undesirable side effects:

- Sugar-free gum contains sweeteners

Polyols used to sweeten sugar-free gum can have a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts. This means that chewing a lot of sugar-free gum may cause indigestion and diarrhea.

Regular sugary gum is harmful to dental health and metabolism.

- Damage related to your teeth

This is because the bacteria in your mouth digest sugar, leading to an increase in plaque on your teeth and resulting in cavities over time.

- Jaw problems

Continuous chewing may lead to a jaw issue called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), which causes pain when chewing.

Although this condition is rare, some studies have found a link between excessive chewing and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.