The 12 benefits of chewing gum

The benefits of chewing gum have been known since ancient times . The ancient Mayans and Aztecs used chewing gum to clean their teeth, and the Spanish learned from them. This is how Spanish took the Nahuatl word “chictli” for chewing gum.

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The 12 benefits of chewing gum

Modern chewing gum is made from synthetic gums . This was not the case in the past, as different civilizations used sap or resin from trees such as fir or manilkara to create their own chewing gum.

However, the possibilities of modern chewing gum make it perhaps have more properties. Below are the different benefits of chewing gum that have been scientifically proven.

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1. Helps digest

Chewing gum has been shown to promote digestion . The reason is that the continuous movement of chewing increases the secretion of saliva, which contains digestive enzymes. And it is that digestion begins in the mouth with them, so that with a copious secretion of saliva the food is more prepared to be easily digested in the stomach.

2. Uncover the ears

Many travelers resort to chewing gum during their trips , especially when there are changes in altitude. The pressure changes from traveling higher or lower cause the internal pressures of the ears to vary and sometimes they become clogged. However, chewing and swallowing causes different bony structures in the skull to move, which prevents this problem from occurring.

3. Clean the mouth

Chewing gum is sticky, a property that helps clean the mouth . When you are away from home, it is sometimes impossible to go to the bathroom and clean your teeth. A good solution to prevent small pieces of food from getting stuck between your teeth is to chew gum.

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4. Prevents cavities

Thanks to its qualities to clean the mouth of food, chewing gum can prevent cavities . It is very counterproductive to spend hours without cleaning your teeth, especially for those people who have a low pH in the mouth. It is therefore a resource to avoid having food remains in the mouth that favor the proliferation of bacteria that cause cavities. Of course, the gum must be without sugar.

5. Freshens breath

There is no doubt that a chewing gum can be a great resource to freshen the mouth . This is especially relevant for people who suffer from halitosis, so one of the benefits of chewing gum is to avoid bad breath. It is an awkward situation that can be avoided when you are speaking next to a person, since alioli and work meetings can be completely incompatible.

6. Strengthens muscles

Chewing gum strengthens the muscles responsible for chewing . This can be interesting for people who need to enhance the action of these muscles, as it represents good training. On the other hand, some people who chew gum all day have gotten sore.

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7. Activate the mind

Studies in schools have shown that chewing gum benefits the mind . It has been seen that the act of chewing activates the mind, stimulating brain functions. In this way, capacities such as learning and memory can be increased, sharpening mental abilities in a significant way.

8. Fight stress

Chewing gum has also been found to help relieve anxiety and stress . It helps mitigate mental fatigue, since the body and mind can focus, even for moments, on the sensations of chewing gum and disconnect from stressful stimuli. A good exercise can be to consciously focus for a few minutes on these sensations.

9. May Help Enamel Remineralization

Some chewing gums have a remineralizing function . If some compounds are added to them, there are benefits of chewing gum for bruxists. Some people have badly worn enamel, which exposes the dentin and causes pain. However, chewing special gum can help rebuild the most mineral-dense layer of the body.

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10. Strengthens teeth and gums

Chewing is a very good exercise for the teeth and gums . It represents an activity that strengthens the roots of the teeth, and it is as good as chewing fibrous foods such as celery or carrots. The objective is that the dental structures do not suffer regression through the simple fact of chewing, being another of the benefits of chewing gum.

11. Could Help You Lose Weight

People who want to lose weight may find chewing gum a useful resource . Chewing could reduce appetite, preventing overeating. However, not all studies are equally conclusive, so the benefits of chewing gum in relation to weight loss have yet to be fully confirmed.

12. It can help you quit tobacco

Quitting tobacco is one of the best health decisions you can make . Chewing gum has helped many people as a substitute for smoking, which would undoubtedly be one of the best benefits of chewing gum. There are other people who try candies, licorice, etc., but it must be said that it is not equally effective in all cases.

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Bibliographic references

• Allen, A.P. y Smith, A.P. (2015). Chewing Gum: Cognitive Performance, Mood, Well-Being, and Associated Physiology. BioMed Research International, Article ID 654806.
• Ribelles-Llop, M., Guinot-Jimeno, F., Mayné-Acién, R., Bellet-Dalmau, LJ (2006). The role of chewing gum in the prevention of dental caries. Pediatric Dentistry, 14.
• Suda, R., Suzuki, T., Takiguchi, R., Egawa, K., Sano, T. yHasegawa, K. (2006). The Effect of Adding Calcium Lactate to Xylitol Chewing Gum on Remineralization of Enamel Lesions. Caries Research, 40 (1), 43–16.