10 facts about the benefits and harms of chewing gum

Chewing gum has taken a place in the list of products that we buy, if not always, then very often. We believe that chewing gum protects against caries or not, and while standing in line at the supermarket, we choose our favorite chewing gum. It helps to block bad breath - this is the main reason why adults buy it. Chewing gums are especially popular among smokers. There was a lot of controversy about the harm and benefits of gums of this type after their appearance. Therefore, Estet-portal decided to put an end to these discussions and tell its readers about the actual harm of chewing gum that scares us, as well as what its benefits are for teeth and not only. 

September 23, 1848, our world has changed forever. And all because it was on this day that the world's first chewing gum factory was opened. Since then, "chewing gum" firmly established in our daily lives.

To chew or not to chew, that is the question

The debate about whether chewing gum is harmful or healthy has been going on for a very long time. But the truth is that people were constantly chewing something – rubber, larch resin or aromatic leaves. So "chewing gum" – The phenomenon, although controversial, is still rooted. Perhaps that is why it is so difficult for scientists to come to an unambiguous conclusion: how much chewing gum is useful, and how much – harmful.

What are the benefits of chewing gum

• Gum causes increased salivation, and a large amount of saliva helps to clean the teeth from plaque.
• It causes the secretion of gastric juice, so chewing gum after eating helps your stomach digest food.
• Chewing gum helps you get rid of extra calories! American scientists came to such a stunning conclusion.
• It turns out that chewing gum speeds up the metabolism by 19 percent. In addition, chewing gum reduces the feeling of hunger.
• If you have recently had bowel surgery, chew gum. During chewing, the secretory function of the intestine is activated and more digestive hormones are released, which contributes to the speedy recovery of the intestine. Gum can be a good antidepressant – so say British scientists. When we chew, we repeat the same mouth movements that we did in infancy. And this directly contributes to calming and creating a sense of security.  

What is the harm of chewing gum

• Gum contributes to tooth decay in many ways. If used for a long time, chewing gum can destroy fillings, crowns and bridges between teeth.
• Salivation while chewing gum, although it cleans the teeth, creates an acid-base imbalance. And this means that chewing gum on an empty stomach, you put yourself in danger of getting an ulcer or gastritis.
• Chewing gum causes forgetfulness. Another unexpected ability of chewing gum, discovered by British scientists. It turns out that our brain is so focused on making chewing movements that it affects short-term memory, and you can forget where you left the keys or how much you paid for this very chewing gum.
• Gum can cause allergies. If you look at the composition of gum, you will see an infinite amount of "E" there. Substances denoted by this letter can be extremely dangerous for our body, in particular, cause an allergic reaction. Chewing gum contains dangerous sweeteners – aspartame and glutamate. Scientists have proven their negative effect on the nerve cells of the body. These substances have a particularly strong effect on the developing organism. Therefore, pregnant women and children are not recommended to chew gum. 

Now that you've read the main points about chewing gum's dangers and benefits, you can make an informed decision about when to chew it and when – no.