Sadia Hashmi
Senator (1k+ posts)
Recent studies have shown that chewing gum during a task can increase cognitive function.
While gum-chewing may be associated with excessive gas, increased hunger and migraine in adolescents, recent studies have also linked it with increased cognitive function. Getty Images
People have been chewing gum since the ancient Greeks peeled bark from mastic trees and used it as a breath sweetener. Today, the sticky stuff is consumed for so many more reasonsto try to stave off hunger, deliver nicotine or simply provide diversion. But is smacking on a wad of gum actually harmful to the body? J. Sumner Bell, secretary-treasurer of the American Gastroenterological Association, offers an opinion.
Heidi Mitchell
The Brain Game
The moment a person unwraps a piece of gum and tosses it into his mouth, the brain is alerted that the digestive process is about to begin. During what's called the cephalic stage, the body anticipates oncoming food and releases saliva to help masticate the substance, then gastric, pancreatic and biliary fluids surge to further break it down. Because no real substance is ever delivered, some argue that gum-chewing can trick the system, upsetting the stomach by throwing off its acidity.
Hunger Games
Studies haven't successfully proven that gum can stave off hunger and lead to weight lossdespite various gum-industry claims. In some people, the perceived sensation of satiety associated with gum-chewing may hold them over until meal time. But because chewing gum jump-starts the digestive process, it may in fact increase hunger. Just like seeing, smelling or tasting food, chewing gum "can stimulate the secretion of salivary and gastric juices and may increase hunger as we anticipate food," Dr. Bell says.
When to Chew
For those who really want to chew, Dr. Bell recommends trying sugarless gum after a meal. The saliva it helps to produce will clean the teeth, and the minty or fruity flavor will sweeten the breath and possibly satisfy a sweet tooth, Dr. Bell says. But it won't do much to advance digestion. "There is no evidence that I know of that proves that chewing gum helps the digestive process," Dr. Bell says.
http://on.wsj.com/1alzrYW
While gum-chewing may be associated with excessive gas, increased hunger and migraine in adolescents, recent studies have also linked it with increased cognitive function. Getty Images
People have been chewing gum since the ancient Greeks peeled bark from mastic trees and used it as a breath sweetener. Today, the sticky stuff is consumed for so many more reasonsto try to stave off hunger, deliver nicotine or simply provide diversion. But is smacking on a wad of gum actually harmful to the body? J. Sumner Bell, secretary-treasurer of the American Gastroenterological Association, offers an opinion.
Heidi Mitchell
The Brain Game
The moment a person unwraps a piece of gum and tosses it into his mouth, the brain is alerted that the digestive process is about to begin. During what's called the cephalic stage, the body anticipates oncoming food and releases saliva to help masticate the substance, then gastric, pancreatic and biliary fluids surge to further break it down. Because no real substance is ever delivered, some argue that gum-chewing can trick the system, upsetting the stomach by throwing off its acidity.
Hunger Games
Studies haven't successfully proven that gum can stave off hunger and lead to weight lossdespite various gum-industry claims. In some people, the perceived sensation of satiety associated with gum-chewing may hold them over until meal time. But because chewing gum jump-starts the digestive process, it may in fact increase hunger. Just like seeing, smelling or tasting food, chewing gum "can stimulate the secretion of salivary and gastric juices and may increase hunger as we anticipate food," Dr. Bell says.
When to Chew
For those who really want to chew, Dr. Bell recommends trying sugarless gum after a meal. The saliva it helps to produce will clean the teeth, and the minty or fruity flavor will sweeten the breath and possibly satisfy a sweet tooth, Dr. Bell says. But it won't do much to advance digestion. "There is no evidence that I know of that proves that chewing gum helps the digestive process," Dr. Bell says.
http://on.wsj.com/1alzrYW
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