Chewing gum has earned a very bad reputation over the years. To such an extent that today it is seen by many as a sign of rudeness. Etiquette experts say that chewing gum in public is a bad habit, mainly because many people do it with their mouths open, and the truth is that seeing a discolored piece of gum move from one side to another is not something pleasant for anyone. Not to mention how weird it is to smell the gum of the person next to you. And to this is added the unfortunate frequency with which one finds old gum stuck on the sidewalk or under tables and chairs.
But all this is rather related to a matter of manners. Rarely do you hear about chewing gum in relation to health, and if it is, it is usually assumptions and myths.
What does medicine say about chewing gum?
A large part of its consumers maintain that it helps them relieve stress and anxiety, and it makes sense, since it is true that chewing gum has a calming effect. After chewing gum, the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the saliva can be reduced by up to 16%. In turn, trials revealed that chewing gum can significantly increase concentration and brain performance. This could all be due to increased blood flow to the brain.
It is also proven that chewing gum helps reduce acidity, both in the mouth and in the stomach. When we chew gum, we produce more saliva. Saliva neutralizes the acid in food and drink, and also makes it easier for food to pass down the esophagus. This also makes it effective in preventing cavities (if we’re talking about sugar-free gum, of course), since saliva washes away food debris and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria. Also, many of the sweeteners used for sweetening inhibit the growth of some bacteria that cause cavities.
The increased saliva also generates a greater amount of calcium and phosphate, which help strengthen tooth enamel. And the mint ones are even effective in relieving nausea, as the mint components decrease stomach contractions, reducing the effects of motion sickness.
So does this mean that chewing gum is wonderful and is recommended by experts?
Not necessarily. Like everything, there are no whites or blacks, and in addition to advantages, it has disadvantages.
First, there is the oral damage caused by chewing gum with sugar, since sugar is used by plaque bacteria to produce acids that cause cavities. But even sugar-free gum contains flavorings and acidic preservatives that cause tooth wear, decalcifying pieces to powder over time. And it is even more dangerous in people who have mercury fillings (amalgams) in their teeth. According to experts, every time gum is chewed, mercury vapor is released, which reaches the bloodstream, causing oxidative processes in its tissues.
In addition, some sugar-free gums contain sorbitol, and this, consumed in excess, can have a laxative effect. If this goes unnoticed or is sustained over time, it could lead to dangerous weight loss.
And speaking of weight loss, there are many who use chewing gum to “trick the stomach”, making it believe that it is full so as not to consume food between meals. Chewing gum gives a sensory satiety, especially if it is sweet, and therefore reduces the craving for more caloric sweet things. But cheating the body with a lot of chewing time and nothing in the stomach is not good: it can generate gas, acidity, intestinal irritation and even diarrhea.
Many also use it simply to freshen their breath, and this in itself is not bad, but it can be very dangerous if it replaces tooth brushing.
Another potential danger is jaw pain. Chewing gum forces the temporomandibular joints and if they wear out, the closure of the mouth is altered. It can even generate what is called the Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which consists of an imbalance in the union between the jaw and the muscles of mastication. Although this is something that happens when consumed in excess. And truth be told, most of the damaging effects of gum occur if you overdo it.
So it is not necessary to cross out chewing gum as a prohibited food, but it is recommended to moderate its consumption and pay close attention to the ingredients it contains.
References:
- Smith AP. Chewing gum and stress reduction. J Clin Transl Res. 2016 Apr 24;2(2):52-54. PMID: 30873461; PMCID: PMC6410656.
- Sällsten G, Thorén J, Barregård L, Schütz A, Skarping G. Long-term use of nicotine chewing gum and mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings. J Dent Res. 1996 Jan;75(1):594-8. doi: 10.1177/00220345960750011301. PMID: 8655765.
- Smith A. Effects of chewing gum on mood, learning, memory and performance of an intelligence test. Nutr Neurosci. 2009 Apr;12(2):81-8. doi: 10.1179/147683009X423247. PMID: 19356310.
- Correia D, Real Dias MC, Castanho Moacho A, Crispim P, Luis H, Oliveira M, Carames J. An association between temporomandibular disorder and gum chewing. Gen Dent. 2014 Nov-Dec;62(6):e33-6. PMID: 25369399.
