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| Some strong benefits of chewing gum. |
Gum may make or break a kiss, provide you with the tiny mouth
refreshment you need, and prevent you from upsetting a coworker with your
post-lunch breath. However, did you realise that chewing gum offers a tonne of
health benefits? The following are a few benefits of chewing gum:
1. Improves
Concentration and Memory
Multiple studies have shown that chewing gum boosts mental
performance. Cognitive functions, like concentration, memory, and reaction times,
were seen to improve when test subjects chewed gum. It is thought that this
boost comes from increased blood flow to the brain through chewing, with some
studies showing as much as a 25%-40% increase. This in turn increases oxygen to
the brain, which helps to enhance memory and other cognitive functions.
2. Improves
Wakefulness
In addition to memory, many studies have also shown that chewing
gum can increase alertness. The chewing movement of the jaw is thought to
stimulate nerves and parts of the brain associated with arousal, in addition to
increasing blood flow. This may help people feel more awake or stay awake
longer. Mint-flavored gum is thought to be especially useful for this purpose.
3. Combats
Stress and Anxiety
Anecdotally, I find chewing gum can help relieve nervous energy
and make me feel calmer. Apparently chomping on some gum can be a great
substitute for nervous habits, like nail biting and leg shaking, when feeling
stressed. This is backed up by studies, which show that gum chewing helped
reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, in many test subjects.
4. Protects
Teeth
The American Dental Association recommends chewing sugarless gum
for 20 minutes after meals, since it's been proven to reduce plaque, promote
tooth enamel, reduce cavities, and reduce gingivitis. The reason has to do with
increasing saliva flow, which reduces acid on your teeth that causes decay.
Just make sure your gum is sugarless, as sugar-containing gums can actually add
to acid build-up. Look for gums with xylitol too, which can reduce
decay-causing bacteria. Finally, be mindful of sorbitol, which can cause GI
discomfort if ingested in extremely large doses. (See also: 11 Foods That'll
Whiten Teeth)
5. Reduces
Acid Reflux and Heartburn
For some people battling acid reflux and heartburn, chewing gum
after meals may help reduce acid in the esophagus. Increased saliva production
is again to thank for this, as is increased swallowing, which clears the acid
more quickly. It's wise to avoid peppermint and spearmint flavors, however,
which can up acid levels and make heartburn worse.
6. Improves
Breath
It's a no-brainer to pop in some gum when you want to fight bad
breath, but some are better than others. In fact, researchers found that
Wrigley's Big Red, a well-known cinnamon-flavored gum with a plant essential
oil for flavoring, reduced bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. It
seems the key to picking the best breath-freshening gums is to find those with
flavors, most of which come from plant oils, that fight bacteria and don't just
mask odor.
7. Improves
Eating Habits
While chewing sugar-free gum won't automatically melt pounds,
popping some low-calorie sticks can have a beneficial effect towards eating
better. Studies show that chewing gum can help ward off some food cravings and
make you consume less. The biggest benefit comes from those who reach for a
stick of gum instead of reaching for a caloric sweet snack between meals. Also,
popping some gum right at the end of a meal, while watching TV, or when other
mindless nibbling occurs, can save calories.
8. Helps
Cigarette Smokers Quit
Even as a non-smoker, I know that gum is no magic bullet to
quitting smoking, but products, such as Nicorette gum, aim to help. The gum,
which delivers a controlled amount of nicotine to your system, attempts to
reduce your cravings. In addition, chewing gum can help moderate the oral
cravings of cigarettes, too. (See also: How to Break Bad Habits)
9. Relieves
Dry Mouth
Yet another oral health benefit of chewing sugar-free gum includes
combating dry mouth. It's been noted that chewing sugarless gum stimulates
saliva up to 10 times the resting rate. This is a huge help in reversing oral
dryness and the discomfort and problems associated with dry mouth.
10. Relieves
Ear Pain During Flights
Having ear pain due to air pressure changes during takeoff and
landing on a flight is no fun. It's long been known that there are a number of
ways to stop your ears from popping, including yawning, pinching your nose, or
even giving little ones a bottle. But, the easiest way may just be to chew on
some gum. This helps produce saliva so you swallow more, which can help
equalize the pressure in your ears.
11. Fights
Nausea
For natural relief against nausea from morning sickness or motion
sickness, try safe herbal gums, like Sea-Band Ginger Gum. The ginger and saliva
production helps to sooth acid and stomach irritability. Currently pregnant
again, I can also attest to chewing sugarless gum in general, which helped me
feel slightly less awful when out and about with morning sickness.
Also Read: A highlight of the best Aviation Schools in Nigeria.
Source: HR Forum Web
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