Chew More, Reduce Stress, Eat Less

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:46pm Betsy A. Hornick, MS, RD

You may chew gum to freshen your breath or maybe you just enjoy the taste, but did you know there are health benefits from chewing gum? It is well known that chewing sugar-free gum after eating can help clean your teeth. Emerging research shows that other benefits of chewing include stress relief; better focus, alertness, and concentration; and weight management.

In Wrigley-sponsored research, gum chewers report feeling more calm and relaxed in dealing with everyday stress when they chewed gum. Research also found the act of chewing can increase blood flow to the brain by 25 to 40 percent, which may help improve the ability to learn, retain, and retrieve information. In teens, chewing sugar-free gum has been linked to better academic performance in school.

Research has found that the simple act of chewing gum can help to control appetite, reduce snack cravings, and reduce calorie intake. One study found that chewing sugar-free gum reduced afternoon snack intake by 40 calories and reduced sweet snack intake by 60 calories. It was also found to significantly reduce afternoon drowsiness. Although a piece of sugar-free gum contains 5 calories, the act of chewing gum can burn about 11 calories per hour.

Piece of gum, anyone?

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized