How much gum is too much

Interestingly, some studies have found that chewing gum during tasks may be a bit of a distraction at the start but could help you focus for longer periods Other studies have found benefits during only the first 15—20 minutes of a task One theory is that this improvement is due to increased blood flow to the brain caused by chewing gum.

Studies have also found that chewing gum may reduce stress and increase feelings of alertness 17 , 24 , This could be due to the act of chewing, which has been linked to reduced levels of stress hormones such as cortisol 27 , However, habitual gum chewers may benefit from feeling more alert and less stressed throughout the day 17 , Chewing gum could help improve your memory.

It has also been linked to reduced feelings of stress. Chewing gum could be a helpful tool for those trying to lose weight. Some research also suggests that chewing gum could reduce your appetite, which could prevent you from overeating 30 , One small study found that chewing gum between meals decreased feelings of hunger and reduced intake of high carb snacks in the afternoon The results of another small study suggest that chewing gum while walking could help burn more calories However, the overall results are mixed.

Some studies have reported that chewing gum does not affect appetite or energy intake over the course of a day 34 , One study even found that people who chewed gum were less likely to snack on fruit.

However, this may be because the participants were chewing minty gum before eating, which made the fruit taste bad Interestingly, there is also some evidence that chewing gum may increase your metabolic rate However, more research is needed to determine whether chewing gum leads to a difference in weight over the long term.

Chewing gum could help you cut calories and lose weight. It may also help reduce feelings of hunger and help you eat less, although the results are inconclusive. Studies have found that chewing gums sweetened with the sugar alcohol xylitol are more effective than other sugar-free gums at preventing tooth decay This is because xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath 39 , Furthermore, chewing gum after a meal increases saliva flow.

This helps wash away harmful sugars and food debris, both of which feed bacteria in your mouth Nor does it have sugar to rot your teeth. In fact, recent studies show that chewing excessive amounts of sugarfree gum can lead to severe diarrhea and weight loss. The problem is sorbitol, a type of artificial sweetener used in many sugarfree gums and candies. In larger quantities, sorbitol actually acts as a laxative.

While chewing gum can seem like a wonderful alternative to sugary snacks for your kids, it may have worse side effects than you might think. Think about the following things before you slide the next piece of gum to your children. A recent study found that chewing gum daily was linked to headaches in a group of teens.

When they began chewing gum again, their headaches came back. Many people chew gum in order to avoid snacking on unhealthy foods. However, the opposite effect actually occurs. While people who chew gum do have a reduced motivation to eat, the things they do eat tend to be less healthy.

Gum chewers are more likely to reach for potato chips and candy after they finish chewing than fruits and vegetables part of that is due to the minty flavor of the gum — it makes fruits and vegetables taste bitter. Some dental filling materials can contain mercury. Although a toxic neurotoxin in pure form and in certain quantities, mercury is generally considered safe for dental use in fillings and poses no serious health risk when properly used.

However, chewing gum can react with mercury amalgam, causing mercury fumes to be released when you chew gum. Although not considered a serious health risk, it is one more reason to avoid excessive gum chewing if you have fillings.

Chewing falsely signals to your body that you are eating, which causes the release of excess stomach acid along with enzymes and other acids used to digest food. This can cause a number of digestive issues in addition to bloating.