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NUTRITION NEWS
Chewing Gum Conundrum
Is chewing gum good for your health?
By Emily Sohn, for EatingWell
Teachers may outlaw chewing gum in class: it sticks to desks and hair, not to mention that bubble-blowing is a big taboo. But the sticky stuff is gaining ground as a potentially good-for-you treat. Preliminary research suggests that regular chewing can help you remember names, make you thinner, whiten teeth, and more. Just last year, the Wrigley Company formed the Wrigley Science Institute to fund gum studies around the world.
Supporting Evidence
In a 2002 study of 75 people out of Northumbria University in England, gum-chewers performed better than nonchewers on a memory test. From a list of 15 words, chewers remembered eight or nine words immediately after hearing them and seven words 25 minutes later. Nonchewers and people who pretended to chew remembered six or seven words immediately and just five words later. How could that be? The simple act of chewing can get your heart pumping significantly more blood to the brain, suggests a small Japanese study. And more blood carries noggin-nourishing oxygen. It’s one theory, anyway.
If you’re trying to lose weight, gum might help with that, too, suggests a 2006 study in the journal Appetite. Of 60 people, those who chewed gum for 15 minutes every hour after eating lunch snacked on 36 fewer calories three hours after the meal and craved fewer sweets than people who didn’t chew gum during the study.
Cons: Much of the work on gum is still in its early stages, and for each purported benefit, different studies turn up opposite results. The repetitive stress of chewing can exacerbate pain in people with jaw problems, such as TMJ. “Chewing gum will never be a suitable replacement for good nutrition and exercise,” says Gayl Canfield, Ph.D., R.D., a dietitian at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Aventura, Florida.
Our verdict: Some research suggests that chewing sugarless gum can help fight cavities and bad breath. As for other touted properties and added health-boosters, it may be too early to tell. As long as your jaw muscles and pocketbook tolerate the habit, a stick or two a day is fine.
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| USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment |
But the aspartame used in most gum is said to cause a health risk and the gum would release a cancerous substance after chewing for 15 minutes or more--released by some Taiwanese health articles.
Siewso, Ashland, OH |
Well I believe that chewing gum should be allowed because kids then are more comfortable and they can focus a lot better in school
Jennifer, Miami, FL |
Chewing gum is also said to benefit your memory because of the chewing itself. This action causes our hearts to pump more blood to our brain than it usually does.
Anonymous, Woodland, CA |
I think that chewing gum should be aloud beacause i think it helps you learn more.
Anonymous, , |
I am so glad that i read this article. Now that i read this article, i can have a debate with the principal of my school, that gum really helps you learn more. Thanks a whole lot.
Alexiania Gomez, Bayshore, N. |
I think that gum chewing should be allowed especially during big tests.
Jessica, Norristown, PA |
I love to chew gum. I am chewing it right now. I believe the same stuff that everybody else does about gum. And it make me mad that our school does not allow it.
Amber, Taylorsville, KE |
Some types of gum helps make teeth stronger.
Kishen, Paramus, NJ |
I was using this site for a school project on chewing gum. It really helped a lot. Many people want to chew gum at my school, including me. I hope I can convince my principal into allowing gum chewing!!!
Alaina, Roswell, GA |
This site has helped so much with my persuasive essay to my principal. I hope it works!
Alaina, Roswell, GA |
Only chewing 100% xylitol gum is good for you. Xylitol, prevents cavities, helps you on your diet, has no chemical properties and is sweetened by a natural plant extract. EVERY GUM COMPANY in this country is using succrolse, aspartame, splenda in their gum. These ingredients will kill you! They are chemicals produced by a scientist using a genetic engineering process!! They produce BRAIN tumors, brain damage, MS, Parkinsons disease and a total of 92 different side effects after prolonged use. I have extensively researched this! Once you chew gum the sweetners turn into methanol (Gasoline, turpentine) in your stomach, which turns into formaldhyde (embalming fluid) and Formic acid which is the same as ANT POISON!! These chemicals cant be digested and they stay in your body and your intesines thereby destroying your tissues, especially your brain! I know I have been ill for awhile and lost part of my sight in one eye because I had chewed two packs a day for a year. That is one of the horrible side effects of prolonged use. If you want to learn more GET yourself educated and check these web sites OUT: Dorway.com and Aspartmekills.com. There are real news brodcasting reels you can watch, they will tell you the whole ugly truth about what we have been consuming for years, and how these huge companies have put our lives in DANGER and made us the guinea pigs! FOR MONEY!!! Especially read ALL about DIET COKE!!!!
Michelle, Houston, TX |
I could really relate to this topic! I am currently enrolled in a nutritions class in college and i needed an interesting topic to get the class captured in, so i chose this one! I like how it talks about how it stimulates your blood to get to your brain faster. Which i can relate to since i am shooting for my RN degree. Thanks again! Keep it Up!!
Crystal, Minneapolis, MN |
Bubble gum helps you get smaarter!! CHEW ON!
Charlye, Boston, US |
I am doing a speech on bubble gum and I researched that mental tasks are done 20% more effectively while chewing bubble gum and that it MAKES YOU SMARTER! I convinced my principal that bubble gum is good for our brains and we should be allowed to chew it at school! THANKS FOR HELPING! IT really works so try it and you'll see. SO TRY IT!
Madison Suelle, Diamond Bar, CA |
It helped me on my speech.
Anonymous, Flint, MI |
I think chewing gum in school can help kids think clearly, they should be allowed in school.
sheyla, Las Vegas, N. |
I am a chewing gum freak there isnt a second that i am not chewing i think its kinda getting bad now cos if i dont have gum in my mouth i literally get mad...
Sara, London, w3 |
I've been getting as many ads, articles, etc. to persuade my principal to at least let us chew gum when we have standardized testing, tests (in general), & quizs. Also, I'm going to get people to sign a petition. =)
Chrissy, Fanwood, NJ |
Gum is awesome. I am doing a persuasive essay on gum to convince my teacher to let us chew gum in class.
AJ, Regina, SK |
I'm doing a persuasive essay about chewing gum at school and in class.
Shon, Mesa, AZ |
Hi guys i do believe that gum should be allowed.
Matt, New York, NY |
Hells yeah I love gum !!! :)
Kim, San Bernardino, CA |
Gum is tite.
Reggie Bush, Green Bay, WI |
I like the topic on chewing gum, i m a Nutritionist but i didnt know any about chewing gum.
Lameck Musumba, Mzuzu, Ma |
yea..but i think we should lisenten to the xylitol gum person..it seems like they have done their research!
Anonymous, Springfield, VA |
Go ahead and chew your gum so you can get smarter - JUST KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. I HATE GUM SMACKIN'SNAPPIN'POPPIN' CHEWING! that's why you can't chew it in school.
Anonymous, Pittsburgh, PA |
xyitol is not an artificial sweetener. Gum that contains it is acutally good for you. You can find it at local health food stores. Xyitol is actually the sugar from a burch tree.
sarah, Burton, MI |
Forget gum - try eatwhatever! it completely eliminates bad breath from food. gum and mints just mask the smell for 5 minutes. eatwhatever lasts for hours!! best thing i've ever discovered www.eat-whatever.com
Ben, New York, NY |
Chewing gum is awesome it makes me sing really good!
akon, Lacenter, WA |
Chewing gum is the best, in fact i'm doing it right this instant
holly, Yacolt, WA |
Chewing gum rocks
fred jones, Seattle, WA |
Chewing gum is the best it helps me with football!
matt hasselbeck, Seattle, WA |
i am going to use this for a report.
Westen Combs, LaGrange, IN |
Gum rules!!! I LOVE % GUM AND FOR STRIDE THE WRAPPER IS EDABLE!!(I LOVE EDWARD CULLEN
Andrea, Toronto, CA |
I love gum it tastes great it helps me concentrate more and i just love it!!!! i don't care what teachers say to me i chew gum when i want where i want and how i want. cuz i do better with it!!! so yeah1
Nene, Toronto, CA |
I dont think it should be aloud! Its against the rules!!!!!
Buckaroo, dfha, VA |
i love gum but the whole brain tissue thing has now scared me! :(
sarah, Carlow, IR |
I think that kids should be allowed to eat gum. It suthes their minds, so they can learn more in school. Gum can also make their jaws stronger.
Calli, Dalton, GA |
I think students should chew gum because it helps your memory and your breath and it helps you lose weight . Also it helps get your heart pumpin and it pumps more blood to your brain and that will help your brain function better!
Daisy, Dalton, GA |
my school is not allowed to chew gum in school :-(
Brittany, Roundlake, IL |
I'm doing a persuasive essay so we can chew gum in school
brittany, Roundlake, IL |
I'm doing a persuasive essay so I can chew gum during school this site helped me SOOOOOOOOO MUCH THANK YOU :}
Alexander, New York, NY |
I'm writing an persuasive essay about chewing bubble gum & this page
Really helped me
Alote thanks:)
*[bubbulishiOUsz), West Palm Beach, FL |
studetns should chew gum
anomymous, Norton, OH |
in my studie it shows that it helps you. it makes your blood flow faster to your brain. there have been a lot of stdies say that. and it say that when you take a test you get 20% or better
anonnomous, Norton, OH |
i personally think gum should be allowed during school. right now in english class we are writting a persuasive essay and my topiic is gum during school. When i get all my facts i plan on goin 2 my princlipas office and asking her if we could try chewing gum durin school for a day. I myself have been in trouble many times for gum and i am sick of it.
:((
wish me luck
caitlyn, Evansvile, IN |
i want gum during school
caitlyn, Evansville, IN |
i like gum
toby, Colpetzer, PA |
dear michelle,
not all gum companies use artificial sweetners. lotte, the most popular japanese gum, is all-xylitol (which actually is beneficial!)
Anna, Tokyo, JP |
Wow... this really helped me and m,y friends... we're doing persuaive essays on gum chewing.. Thnaks so much?
Aly, Douglassville, PA |
i love gum because it helps me get smarter than i already am and i'm smarticuls
Breanna, Lacenter, WA |
Gum is my whole life!! i am using this web page for an article i'm doing in school. My teach is going to freak out when she reads my article, it will be the best one, yet!!! Thanks, XOXOXO
luv alwayz, keep rockin'
amy ali, JC,NJ, US |
I love chewing gum because it helps brain power, gives u more energy and has a long lasting taste!!!!
Jada, Kalamazoo, MI |
i love gum i love to eat it every day
lynnelle, belding, mi |
does chewing gum in school help you learn?
christina, vermont, vt |
Gum chewing is the NASTIEST habit in the world. You all look like cows in a field. The worst of you are the ones that pop, smack and chew with your mouth open. Gum chewing is like finger nails on a chalk board to me.
Bart, Katy, Te |
i love chewing gum in class it helps me do my work
lynnelle, belding, mi |
I'm not sure what or who to listen to. For every article I read that tells about its benefits (gum's), another pops up telling me its ingredients are linked to cancer.
Is there any 'healthy' gum out there?
Dmitri, Boston, MA |
This really helped me on my persuasive essay thanx!!!:)
Casey Proehl, Findlay, OH |
In my opinion, gum chewing should be allowed EVERYWHERE. If you ever watched the weight lossing show, "The Biggest Loser", then you will see that professional trainers and nutritionest say that gum is very good for crushing cravings and lowering your callorie count by A LOT. So, in my opinion, gum chewing in class isn't a big deal. Thank you.
Sarah James, , NY |
Thanks this helps a lot for my project! :)
Anonymous, Bhamas :), LA |
i'm using this web site for a school essay to let the kids in my school be able to chew gum. I love gum!
Nora, Columbus, oh |
There is a time and place for, as well as pros and cons of, chewing gum. Unfortunately the cons outweight the pros. People smack and pop their gum. This is rude and annoying. They throw it on the ground KNOWING it will be extremely sticky if stepped or sat on. Dried gum under tables is disgusting. And dried gum doesn't come out of clothes or hair. As far as schools are concerned ... gum DOES NOT belong there. Most of the teachers' time is spent on discipline issues, which includes gum chewing. Teachers are not allowed to chew gum at school either. I, for one, do not wish to see that wad of gum in someone's mouth when they talk or smile. Many gum chewers are no different than smokers: they want to chew/smoke wherever and whenever they wish. Thank goodness laws and bans have signigicantly lessened smoking. Now, if gum chewers could just be more conscientious.
Karla, McKinney, TX |
i am writing a persuasive essay about why chewing gum should be allowed in school and this website really helped:) thanks!
shana, dublin, OH |
Gum Chewing Should Be Allowed Because Its Good Flavor
Hannah, Seattle, Wa |
i think gum is very tasty and also it helps your memory sucseed 23% isnt that awsome so next time you go to the store get a pack of sticky gooey gum and enjoy it
Esther, tacoma, WA |
i like chewihg gum specialy juicy fruit so im in school and i get introuble evey single time chewing that gum
nathena, tacoma, wa |
I love gum
jazz, tacoma, wa |
gum is cool
cj, tacoma, wa |
gum is very good for your heath and it tastes so good I tryed strawberry.
cj, tacoma, wa |
i think gum is the most tastiest candy in the world and thank you everyone that posted these on the website because my friend daisy and mario are doing a report on chewing gum so thank you
Peach, tacoma, wa |
gum really does help!!! i have ADHD and i always need to be doing something with like my fingers or mouth, so gum keeps my mind from wandering too much.:)
rock on, wrigley
Leah, LA, CA |
I think gum is very good for are brains
jazzy, tacoma, wa |
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