Sugar-free gum provides surprising health perks, such as improving concentration, reducing stress, protecting teeth, and freshening breath; it can even help with alertness and weight management.
Okay, so, are you kinda curious about sugar-free gum? Like, does it *really* do anything besides, um, freshen your breath? We’ve definitely chewed on that question (pun intended!) and decided to look into it further.
- Benefits of Sugar-Free Gum
- Improves Concentration and Memory
- Improves Alertness
- Reduces Stress and Tension
- Protects the Teeth
- Reduces Heartburn and Acid Reflux
- Refreshes the Breath
- Helps Those Trying to Quit Smoking
- Reduces Dry Mouth
- Relieves Ear Pain Especially During Flights
- Helps Reduce Weight
- Tips
Many people turn to gum for entertainment, or to engage their senses, but they may not know that sugar-free gum offers many benefits to the body, and may even surprise you.
Let’s find out about the advantages of sugar-free gum, and a set of important tips.
Benefits of Sugar-Free Gum
Among the most important of these benefits are the following:
1. Improves Concentration and Memory
Turns out, gum boosts cognitive functions and enhances perceptions, such as concentration, memory, and reaction times.
Turns out chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain, which, in turn, increases the amount of oxygen available to the brain, thus enhancing memory and cognitive functions. I remember cramming for exams in college and always popping in a piece of gum. Maybe that wasn’t just a nervous habit after all!
2. Improves Alertness
Chewing gum can increase alertness.
The movement of the jaw stimulates the nerves and parts of the brain associated with arousal, in addition to increased blood flow, which may help people feel more alert or awake for longer periods. Plus, that minty flavor can be a lifesaver on those long, drowsy afternoons.
It is believed that different flavors are useful in this regard.
3. Reduces Stress and Tension
Sugar-free gum can help reduce anxiety and increase feelings of relaxation. Turns out chewing it helps reduce levels of cortisol and increases feelings of alertness. Cortisol, as you might know, is released by the body during stressful situations.
Therefore, chewing gum may be a good alternative to calm nerves when experiencing anxiety, such as before a test, or in a state of stress.
4. Protects the Teeth
The American Dental Association recommends chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals, because it reduces plaque, and the acids and food particles from the teeth, and reduces tooth decay and bad breath.
The reason is increased salivation, which reduces the presence of acid on the teeth, which causes tooth decay and damage to it. This reminds me, I should probably schedule a dentist appointment soon. It’s been a while. But it is good that chewing stimulates saliva, which neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. This not only prevents tooth decay but also remineralizes tooth enamel, strengthening teeth over time.
5. Reduces Heartburn and Acid Reflux
For some people who suffer from acid reflux and heartburn, chewing gum after meals can help reduce the acidity in the esophagus, due to increased saliva production, which quickly removes the acid.
When chewing gum the body produces saliva, which may help achieve balance in the acidity in the esophagus.
6. Refreshes the Breath
Sugar-free gum refreshes the mouth’s smell, and gets rid of unpleasant odors if found. It seems chewing gum can act on bacteria in the mouth that may cause bad breath.
It also works to reduce the level of bacteria in the mouth, which may cause an unpleasant breath.
7. Helps Those Trying to Quit Smoking
Although gum isn’t a direct substitute for quitting smoking, using products such as nicotine gum can help with that.
In addition, chewing gum helps to relieve the strong desire of the mouth to smoke cigarettes.
8. Reduces Dry Mouth
Here’s another oral health benefit of sugar-free gum it helps with combats dry mouth.
Because it stimulates saliva production for up to 10 times the resting rate.
9. Relieves Ear Pain Especially During Flights
Sugar-free gum relieves ear pain resulting from sudden changes in air pressure upon takeoff and landing on long flights.
Chewing gum produces saliva, which can help achieve a balance in the pressure in the ears.
10. Helps Reduce Weight
Chewing gum helps to suppress appetite, and makes you eat less.
In fact, chewing gum helps curb the appetite during snacks, which is one of the main reasons for weight gain.
Chewing gum is used as an easy and practical way to manage appetite and avoid unhealthy meals, especially sweets.
Chewing gum reduces the desire for food, and this may be due to alterations in hormone responses associated with satiety.
But what about the impact of different flavors? Does the effectiveness of sugar-free gum change based on whether it’s mint, fruit, or some other exotic flavor? Also, consider the use of xylitol in many sugar-free gums. Xylitol has been shown to further inhibit bacterial growth and promote dental health. It could be interesting to explore the specific benefits of xylitol-sweetened gums versus those using other sugar substitutes.
Tips
To get the benefits of sugar-free gum, you must follow the following tips:
- You must refrain from chewing gum if you suffer from any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Do not take chewing gum as an alternative to brushing and regular flossing, as these things must be used to maintain the cleanliness and safety of oral and dental health.
- You should choose sugar-free gum to avoid the harms that may affect your teeth because of the sugar.
- You should chew gum with your mouth closed, to prevent the entry of large amounts of gases into the stomach.
Key takeaways
- Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help protect teeth and freshen breath.
- Sugar-free gum might improve concentration, memory, and alertness.
- It could also help reduce stress, tension, heartburn, and acid reflux.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Is it okay to chew sugar-free gum all day long?
While sugar-free gum offers benefits, excessive chewing might lead to jaw muscle fatigue or discomfort. Moderation is key!
Does sugar-free gum really help with weight loss?
It can assist by curbing cravings, but it’s not a standalone weight-loss solution. It’s most effective when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Myth: Sugar-free gum damages fillings.
Fact: Sugar-free gum is less likely to harm fillings than sugar-containing gum. The increased saliva production can even help protect fillings by neutralizing acids.
I used to get terrible ear pain whenever I flew, to the point where I dreaded traveling. A friend recommended trying sugar-free gum during takeoff and landing, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer. I still feel a bit of pressure, but the sharp pain is gone. It’s such a simple fix that has made a huge difference!
Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I’ve done, and the oral fixation was a real struggle. I tried everything, but sugar-free gum was the only thing that helped me keep my mouth busy without adding to the problem. It helped me handle the cravings and stay focused on my goal.
As someone who suffers from chronic dry mouth, I’m always looking for ways to stimulate saliva production. Prescription meds help a little, but the side effects suck. I was surprised how much sugar-free gum helped moisten my mouth and make speaking less uncomfortable. It’s a simple solution, but definitely makes a difference in my day-to-day life.
So, it seems like popping a piece of sugar-free gum isn’t just a mindless habit; it can actually be kinda good for you! From freshening breath to potentially boosting brainpower, it’s a simple, accessible tool we can use in our daily lives. I think I’ll start carrying some in my bag again—you know, for science… and maybe a little bit for that fresh breath, too.
