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chewing gum

Gum Doesn't Help With Weight Loss, Study Says
Weight Loss

Attention, Gum Chewers, a New Study Just Burst Our Bubble!

A new study out of Ohio State University has burst our bubble about chewing gum's ability to help with weight loss.
by

A new study out of Ohio State University has burst our bubble about chewing gum's ability to help with weight loss. Although mint is known as an appetite suppressant and gum can lower your feeling of hunger, the study showed that participants who chewed gum didn't consume fewer calories or make more nutritious choices. Although the chewers ate fewer snacks, they ate bigger meals, ultimately eating about the same number of calories as nonchewers. The real kicker here is the poor nutritional choices, believed to be caused by the menthol in gum, making fruits and vegetables taste bitter, and in turn, making candy look ever so appealing.

With all this back-and-forth, it seems that gum and weight loss can only be interpreted on a case-by-case basis. So although gum may lead to less snacking for some, still keep in mind your portion size and nutritional quality when it comes to meals. Tell us your thoughts!

The Pros and Cons of Chewing Gum
healthy living

The Pros and Cons of Chewing Gum

In addition to lip chap and my cell phone, gum rounds out my list of essential purse items.
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chewing gumIn addition to lip chap and my cell phone, gum rounds out my list of essential purse items. But when it comes to chewing gum in general, how much do we really know about these tasty, rubbery pieces we regularly munch on? Are there any benefits to chomping?

Health Benefits

  • Heartburn relief: In 2005, researchers found that the saliva stimulated by chewing seemed to neutralize the digestive stomach acid that had leaked into the esophagus. It also seemed to help force fluids back into the stomach and therefore provide heartburn relief. Chewing gum — sugarless, of course — for 30 minutes did the trick and can provide relief for up to three hours.
  • Kills bacteria and freshens breath: Chewing stimulates saliva production, and the more saliva you have in your mouth, the less bacteria you will have. Gum that is said to be sweetened with xylitol is said to increase salivation and prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth. In terms of what flavor to go with, it's best to stick with cinnamon, as it can actually help to decrease bacteria in your mouth — sugar-free cinnamon, naturally.

Keep reading for more pros and find out if chewing gum poses any health risks!

Chewing Gum While Exercising
Fitness

Do You Chew Gum While Exercising?

My running partner loves to chew gum when we exercise together.
by

My running partner loves to chew gum when we exercise together. She always pops a piece in her mouth before we head out, and of course will offer me one too. So I got in the habit of chewing gum while running, even though it was drilled in my head in my youth that chewing gum and exercising can be dangerous. I have to say, there's something nice about having minty fresh breath while you're out for a jog. What about you?

Let's Dish: What's Your Favorite Chewing Gum?
gum

Let's Dish: What's Your Favorite Chewing Gum?

From the time I first laid eyes on Dr Pepper-filled bubble gum decades ago, I've been a sucker for trying new chewing gum flavors.
by

From the time I first laid eyes on Dr Pepper-filled bubble gum decades ago, I've been a sucker for trying new chewing gum flavors. Although I've tried everything from Orbit Maui Melon Mint to Trident Splash Apple With Raspberry, I ultimately return to the tried-and-true Trident Original Flavor. It's always soft, and has the perfect amount of freshness without overpowering my tongue. Do you share the same feelings? What's your favorite chewing gum of all time?

Got Heartburn? Try Chewing Gum
gum

Got Heartburn? Try Chewing Gum

I dealt with my fair share of heartburn during both my pregnancies and I wish I had been hip to this chewing gum remedy.
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I dealt with my fair share of heartburn during both my pregnancies and I wish I had been hip to this chewing gum remedy. In 2005, researchers found that the saliva stimulated by chewing seemed to neutralize the digestive stomach acid that had leaked into the esophagus. Not only did it neutralize the acid, it seemed to help force fluids back into the stomach where they belong. Chewing gum, sugarless of course, for 30 minutes did the trick and can provide relief for up to 3 hours.

If you do suffer from heartburn on a regular basis, I would seriously think of trying this "folk" remedy since recent studies reveal that long term use of acid blockers, including Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, and Zantac, may increase the risk of mental decline in later life.

Chewing gum on the other hand will keep you young! In spirit at least.

Source

Do You Swallow Your Gum?
Poll

Do You Swallow Your Gum?

Apparently Molly swallows her gum every time she chews it.
by partysugar


Apparently Molly swallows her gum every time she chews it. According to her fiance (who's a doctor) and FitSugar (who says only sugar free is hard to digest) it's a myth that chewing gum will last undigested in your stomach for seven years. I still never swallow my gum and always have a small piece of paper on hand to spit it out in. How about you, do you swallow your gum?

You Asked: How Long Does it Take to Digest Chewing Gum?
You Asked

You Asked: How Long Does it Take to Digest Chewing Gum?

My mom told me, and I bet yours did too, that it takes SEVEN years to digest gum.
by

My mom told me, and I bet yours did too, that it takes SEVEN years to digest gum. As a parent, I see the need to occasionally make up fantastical facts, especially if they involve making choking hazards appear less attractive. But there is absolutely no truth to this old wives tale. Sorry, mom, but I caught you in a lie (and only days before Mother's Day).

Although gum is indigestible (which is probably the origin of the 7 year myth), it passes through the human body and is eliminated in the same manner as any other swallowed substance. The sugars in the gum are absorbed by the body in 1 to 2 hours, and the wad of gum leaves the body fairly unchanged, but on a normal schedule.

Interesting factoids: Chewing the resin of trees is an ancient human habit, and the first commercially produced gum, here in the US, was made from spruce resin in 1846, in the fair state of Maine.

Chew On This
gum

Chew On This

On today's date, January 26, in 1932 William Wrigley Junior died.
by partysugar

On today's date, January 26, in 1932 William Wrigley Junior died. Now you are most likely asking yourself, who in the hell is William Wrigley Jr.? If you look a little closer at his name you'll realize you do know who he is - he's Wrigley as in Wrigley's Chewing gum. In his honor I'll give you a quick history of his gum company.

At the young age of 13, William started his career as a traveling salesman selling for his father's soap company. Later he continued to sell soap and various other products, one of which offered free chewing gum with purchase. Consumers preferred the chewing gum over the products and he soon started marketing his own chewing gum: Juicy Fruit and Wrigley's Spearmint in 1893. The company evolved and due to his expert knowledge of advertising, it grew to be the largest chewing gum manufacturer in the modern world. Way to go Wrigley!