8 Effects that chewing gum can have on your body

Throughout history, people have chewed everything from resin and paraffin wax to modern chewing gum. The fact is that, 5 thousand years ago, people used to chew pieces of tar extracted from birch bark. Tar has antiseptic properties and other medicinal effects, just like today’s chewing gum. Obviously, there’s more to this habit than keeping your breath fresh or passing the time.

O awesome.club shows some myths and truths about the effect of chewing gum on your body.

Good: sugarless gum can be an efficient bacteria killer. It protects your teeth against cavities and gingivitis by activating salivation, which washes away acids and food debris. It also strengthens the enamel by applying additional calcium and phosphate (some gums have these boosters). Bad: if your gum contains sugar, there is a negative impact on oral health. Bacteria living in the oral cavity digest the sugar before it reaches the stomach, resulting in plaque buildup on the teeth. Therefore, the habit of chewing gum with sugar increases the risk of cavities.

The act of chewing is able to increase heart rate, blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. One of the positive effects of this is the cognitive boost we experience: chewing gum can improve alertness, thought processing, decision-making ability and memory. Unfortunately, the tactic doesn’t work in the long run; it only takes effect if you chew before or during particularly challenging tasks.

Good: Sometimes, chewing gum can decrease our appetite. After chewing gum in the morning, people tend to feel less hungry. Because it’s sweet and low in calories, it can help you cut back on sweets. It also increases energy expenditure, speeds up metabolism and makes you feel less tired after eating. Bad: The use of chewing gum as a diet aid can backfire. The chewing movement and constant saliva can trick your brain into “thinking” that you are really hungry. And mint gum can make you crave junk food instead of healthier options, as it makes fruit taste bad. Gum chewers also tend to eat fewer meals per day, but end up abusing calories when they eat.

Constant chewing can cause a disorder that affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Any movement of the jaw – eating, laughing or even talking – is accompanied by severe pain that sometimes spreads to the neck and shoulders. The risk is especially high if you chew during times of stress, as people tend to unconsciously clench or grind their teeth when they are nervous.

Good: the extra production of saliva when chewing gum can help to improve morning sickness and that caused by movement (when we are on a boat or on a road full of curves, for example). Some say that gum works better than anti-sickness medicine, reducing the chances of vomiting, abdominal discomfort and nausea just as quickly, plus it’s considerably cheaper and easier to find. Bad: Woe to you if you have a sensitive stomach or suffer from indigestion. After all, when you’re chewing, it’s normal to swallow small portions of air and fill your stomach with gases that can cause bloating. The sugar alcohols used as a sweetener in gum can cause cramping, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Chewing gum after a meal can lower acid levels in the esophagus. Saliva flow dilutes and neutralizes acid, especially after a heavy meal. This can help reduce acid reflux and heartburn.

Good: Surprisingly, chewing gum has anti-stress and mood-enhancing superpowers. Chewing gum can reduce your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and the simple act of chewing is relaxing for most people, helping to reduce anxiety and fatigue and elevate our mood throughout the day. Bad: Constant pressure on the jaw can increase the number and frequency of migraines and tension headaches. In the worst case, it can cause chronic headaches. Therefore, if you have a predisposition to migraines, it is better to avoid chewing gum.

Ear infections appear when bacteria build up in the tubes that connect the nose and ears and often affect children. Chewing gum that contains the natural sweetener xylitol can help prevent the growth of bacteria.

Do you like chewing gum? Have you noticed any changes in your body because of this? Share your experiences in the comments!