Extra Chewing Gum, Sugar Free, Ice Peppermint Flavour, Chewing Gum 46 Pieces, 64g

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Sweeteners. Cane sugar, beet sugar, and corn syrup are popular sweeteners. Sugar-free gums use sugar alcohols such as xylitol or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Some research also suggests that chewing gum could reduce your appetite, which could prevent you from overeating ( 35, 36). However, the possible connection between aspartame and obesity needs to be further studied ( 13, 14). Preservatives. These are added to extend shelf life. The most popular choice is an organic compound called butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The sugar alcohols used to sweeten sugar-free gum have a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts.

One research review suggests that regularly chewing gum may trigger headaches in people prone to migraine episodes and tension-type headaches ( 53).This is because it’s both sweet and low in calories, giving you a sweet taste without negatively affecting your diet. Studies have found that chewing gum while performing tasks can improve various aspects of brain function, including alertness, memory, understanding, and decision making ( 21, 22, 23, 24, 25).

However, people who have a rare hereditary condition known as phenylketonuria should limit their consumption of phenylalanine, which is a component of aspartame ( 15). Color additives However, a Dutch study from 2000 assessed the connection between BHT and stomach cancer and found that men and women who consumed BHT in usual amounts had no increased risk ( 3). This is because sugar is digested by the bad bacteria in your mouth, causing an increase in the amount of plaque on your teeth and tooth decay over time ( 49). While chewing gum has some potential benefits, chewing too much gum could cause some unwanted side effects. Sugar-free gums contain laxatives and FODMAPs Experts don’t fully understand how chewing gum improves memory. One theory is that this improvement is due to increased blood flow to the brain caused by chewing gum.

It appears that most people consume far less than this recommended level. One study that analyzed urine samples from multiple countries estimated that the average daily intake of BHT in adults was only 0.21–31.3 micrograms per kg of body weight ( 5). Titanium dioxide All ingredients used in the processing of chewing gum have to be “food grade” and classified as fit for human consumption. Summary Furthermore, chewing gum after a meal increases saliva flow. This helps wash away harmful sugars and food debris, both of which feed bacteria in your mouth ( 47). Summary Some older animal studies have linked very high doses of titanium dioxide with nervous system and organ damage in rats ( 6, 7).

Even in these cases, the amounts are generally much lower than the amounts considered to cause harm. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) Additionally, all sugar alcohols are FODMAPs, which can cause digestive problems for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sugar-sweetened gum is bad for your dental and metabolic health This is because xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath ( 44, 45).

Its use is controversial, as some animal studies suggest that high doses can cause cancer. However, the results are mixed, and other studies haven’t found this effect ( 1, 2). According to the FDA, consuming amounts of aspartame that are within the daily intake recommendations isn’t thought to be harmful ( 15). Animal studies have suggested that aspartame is a chemical carcinogen in rodents and that prenatal exposure to aspartame increases cancer risk in rodent offspring ( 12). In a small 2012 study in university students, chewing gum for 2 weeks decreased participants’ feelings of stress, particularly in relation to academic workload ( 31). Both the FDA and the EFSA have deemed BHT generally safe in low doses of around 0.11 mg per pound of body weight (0.25 mg per kg) ( 4).

Titanium dioxide, Red 3 and Green 3 are banned in the European Union, but not in the US. Red 40 Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 must contain a warning in the EU stating that they may have adverse effects on activity and attention in children ( 18, 19). More research is needed, but the researchers suggested that people who experience migraine might want to limit their gum chewing. Summary In fact, one study found that chewing xylitol-sweetened gum reduced the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth by up to 75% ( 46). Interestingly, there is also some evidence that chewing gum may increase your metabolic rate ( 42). However, more research is needed to determine whether chewing gum leads to a difference in weight over the long term. SummaryIt’s better for your teeth than regular, sugar-sweetened gum. This is because sugar feeds the “bad” bacteria in your mouth, which can damage your teeth. Chewing gum often contains titanium dioxide, which adds a shiny finish to added colors, which may include the above-mentioned synthetic colors and more ( 17). Studies have found that chewing gums sweetened with the sugar alcohol xylitol are more effective than other sugar-free gums at preventing tooth decay ( 43). Eating too much sugar is also associated with a number of health conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes ( 50). Chewing gum too often could cause problems with your jaw