Chewing Gums have been around there for thousands of years. Back then, they were made from the sap of mastic trees. But in today’s modern era, gums are synthetically prepared and packaged for sale.
In the past, people used to chew gum in order to quench their thirst, get rid of bad breath, or fight hunger. But can modern-day chewing gum be beneficial for you?
Actually, a piece of gum can give you the little refresher that your mouth needs and save you from offending people with your post-lunch breath.
But did you know chewing gum also has several health advantages? Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of chewing gums and what ingredients you should look for while purchasing them.
What Is Chewing Gum?
Chewing gums are rubbery and cohesive substances that are synthetically fabricated and commonly sweetened and flavored by loads of ingredients.
These ingredients can vary from brand to brand, but all chewing gums commonly contain flavoring agents, insoluble gum bases, and sweeteners in their composition.
Dental Considerations for Chewing Gum
A study has demonstrated that chewing sugarless gums for around 15 to 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay. That’s because chewing stimulates saliva production in your mouth, which helps strengthen your tooth enamel, clear away food, and wash off bacteria.Â
However, people who wear braces should avoid chewing gum. This is because gum and braces don’t suit each other and can result in an unplanned visit to your dental professional.
The stickiness of the gum can get stuck in the brackets of your braces and can even bend your wires. Even a slight bend in the wires or brackets of your braces can cause your teeth to move or become disoriented.
6 Surprising Benefits of Chewing Gum
The benefits of chewing gum are not just restricted to your mouth. More saliva production can also help balance acids in your esophagus, alleviating the symptoms of acid reflux. Apart from that, chewing gum can be beneficial for you in a multitude of ways.
1. Prevent Bad Breath
Certain strong-smelling food can leave a bad taste in your mouth and may result in an unpleasant breath. Flavored chewing gums can effectively help mask bad breath quickly.Â
They increase the saliva flow and decrease bacteria build-up, resulting in a better-smelling mouth. Moreover, peppermint-flavored gums can also reduce your bad breath in the long run.
2. Reduces Stress
Chewing gums have also been associated with lower stress levels. They are considered anxiety relievers and attention boosters and are an inexpensive and effective way to help relieve anxiety and boost concentration.
3. Improve Memory
Chewing increases blood circulation to your brain. This, as a result, helps improve your memory. Research has shown that the activity in the brain’s most important area, the hippocampus, increases when people chew gum, resulting in better memory and brain function.
4. Fight Drowsiness
If you feel sluggish or can’t stay alert at work, then chewing gum can be the best solution. A study revealed that chewing gum can keep your brain focused for longer periods and can also battle midday yawns.
5. Helps Quit Smoking
If you are looking for ways to quit smoking, chewing gum can be the most effective option for you. It works by providing nicotine to your body and decreases the withdrawal symptoms that people usually experience when they have stopped smoking.
Furthermore, it is a great substitute for oral activity and significantly lessens the urge to smoke again.
6. Satisfies Thirst
Although chewing gum doesn’t really enhance your body’s hydration, there is some evidence that it can somehow satisfy your thirst.
Chewing gum can increase the salivary flow in your mouth through the mechanical stimulation of the salivary glands, reducing dryness of the mouth.
Are the Ingredients in Chewing Gum Safe?
In general, all the ingredients present in the composition of chewing gums are considered safe. However, some types of chewing gum contain small amounts of contentious ingredients that may have potential health risks.
They usually are aspartame, calcium casein peptone, and titanium dioxide. However, their amounts are generally negligible than those considered to cause harm.
Still, you should go for gums that are sugar-free and contain all-natural ingredients, so you can protect your teeth and overall health.
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Conclusion
Sugar-free gums are tasty little treats that you can bring anywhere. The ingredients in chewing gum have also been considered safe for humans. In fact, the act of chewing exerts surprising benefits for your mental and physical health.
However, chewing gum excessively may result in side effects, such as headaches or jaw pain. So, if this habit is causing you problems, it’s best to limit it. Otherwise, chewing one or two gums between your meals is not considered a bad idea.
FAQs:
Is Chewing Gum Good for Your Stomach?
Chewing gum stimulates the saliva flow in your mouth, which helps decrease the amount of acid in the esophagus. This, as a result, soothes the symptoms of heartburn.
However, always go for sugar-free gums that have ginger or peppermint in their composition, as these are natural and effective ingredients for an upset stomach.
Does Chewing Gum Burn Belly Fat?
Chewing gum can curb hunger cravings, give feelings of fullness, and allow you to control your food intake.
In addition to that, it can also help you burn slightly more calories per day. However, it is not obvious whether these effects can be useful for long-term weight loss.
Does Chewing Gum Make Chubby Cheeks?
Some people think that chewing gum may increase their face fat, leading to more weight gain. However, this is just a myth. Chewing gum does not cause obesity, but it is a good workout for facial muscles.
