Chew On This

by: AndreaDow
Total views: 514
Word Count: 304

Sunday, September 17th

Looking for something that could easily give you whiter teeth, help you lose weight and boost your memory? Well, look no further than the variety of gum available at the checkout counter. Really? Yes, chewing gum could do all of the above and more based on some recent research conducted by the Wrigley Company. The company recently formed the Wrigley Science Institute to conduct gum studies around the world according to Emily Sohn of EatingWell Magazine.

Sohn reports that in 2002 there was a study of 75 prople from Northumbria University of England, those chewing gum performed better on memory tests as compared to the non gum-chewers. How does gum achieve all these great results? Apparently the act of chewing gum improves blood flow to the brain. One theory is that the blood is rich in oxygen which helps our brains stay fueled with knowledge. Several gum products on the market today are sugar free and filled with whitener enhancing ingredients. For those looking to lose weight, a study from the 2006 journal, Appetite, reports that gum-chewers snacked on 36 fewer calories after lunch if they chewed gum for 15 minutes each hour after eating lunch. Those chewing gum also craved fewer sweets than the non gum-chewers.

Are there any cons to consider? Yes. Not all of the research has produced the same findings. Some studies have produced the opposite results. The research is clearly still in preliminary stages. Also, steer clear of gum if you have TMJ problems as it can exacerbate jaw and neck problems. Never consider gum as a good replacement for exercise or significant caloric expenditure either.

In my opinion, gum cannot hurt and it is very inexpensive. Go for it, but just remember, no chomping your gum or blowing loud bubbles in your co-workers ear.

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