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!
In 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?
Who doesn't love a kitschy hair accessory every now and then? With this homemade 
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?
