Pros and cons of chewing gum. Research paper "pros and cons of chewing gum" Pros and cons of chewing gum

Today in health food stores you can buy sugar-free gum and with some healthy ingredients. Many consider it a good low-calorie way to replace desserts, fight food cravings, and manage stress. However, just because these gummies are calorie- and sugar-free doesn't mean they're good for the health.

Like everything else, there are pros and cons to using chewing gum.

Benefits of chewing gum

Reduces anxiety

There is no doubt that chewing gum helps to manage anxiety and reduces the level of cortisol (stress hormone), which is confirmed by clinical studies. But, unfortunately, this effect only works during chewing and does not last for a long time.

Increases the amount of serotonin in the brain

Chewing gum reduces stress and has been shown to increase serotonin, the "happiness hormone," which in turn calms the nerves.

Boosts Cognitive Efficiency

Research confirms that gum chewers experience less mental fatigue. Scientists explain this by saying that chewing oxygenates the blood in the brain and signals more insulin to be released, which in turn allows the brain to absorb more glucose.

Activates the vagus nerve

Any chewing stimulates the vagus nerve. Low vagus nerve activation is one of the causes of modern diseases. It sits between the brain and several important organs such as the heart and digestive system and controls bowel movements and secretion of digestive juices. By activating the vagus nerve, bowel function and the secretion of digestive enzymes are improved.

Improves dental health

Research shows that using sugar-free gum reduces the risk of tooth decay. Perhaps chewing gum just stimulates extra salivation and helps clean oral cavity from harmful bacteria.

Chewing gum: "the other side"

Not effective for weight loss

Although many people think that frequent gum chewing helps take your mind off food, this is not true. AT randomized trial among overweight and obese adults, chewing gum did not show a significant effect on weight loss. It slightly reduced hunger, but overall had no effect on calorie intake.

Contains potentially toxic ingredients

There are a lot of dubious ingredients in chewing gum. Here is some of them:

Chewing gum base- a proprietary blend of 46 different chemicals. These substances can be natural plant resins, beeswax or petroleum-based chemicals.
artificial antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene. Its effect on the body is associated with the development of cancer, asthma and behavioral problems in children.
Fillers such as talc and corn starch(which can be genetically modified).
Titanium dioxide to maintain a bright white color.
artificial dyes.
artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.

Metabolism Disruptors

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame K are essential to keep gum sweet for minutes. The sweet taste causes the body to release insulin, which lowers blood sugar and worsens insulin resistance. In addition, artificial sweeteners are toxic to beneficial gut bacteria.

Problems with the digestive system

As already mentioned, chewing leads to the fact that the digestive system is activated. The intestines then secrete enzymes, and without food, this process can lead to digestive problems such as stomach ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome.

Leads to swallowing excess air

Chewing gum can cause you to swallow more air, which can cause pain and bloating.

Sleep disturbance

A healthy circadian rhythm and quality sleep are very important for health. Studies have shown that chewing gum increases alertness, which is good during the day but not at night.

Causes jaw problems

Chewing gum makes the jaw work for a long time. Excessive chewing can lead to imbalances in the jaw muscles (if one has the habit of chewing on only one side), temporomandibular joint disorders, and tension headaches.

Does not biodegrade

80-90% of chewing gums are not biodegradable, which may represent serious problems for environment. Fish and birds swallow pieces of gum, mistaking it for food, which sometimes leads to their suffocation.

What conclusions can be drawn?

While chewing gum has some health benefits, remember that it contains a lot of artificial ingredients and the chewing process itself can cause negative reactions in the body.

Simply put, the disadvantages of chewing gum really outweigh its benefits.

Try replacing chewing gum with something more healthy.

and increase serotonin levels, improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly to activate the vagus nerve without the negative effects of chewing gum. You can also improve the functioning of the vagus nerve

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Chewing gum allows you to quickly clean your teeth, freshen your breath and stimulate the digestion of food. She also has disadvantages.

About the pros

1. As soon as we start chewing, saliva is intensively secreted in the mouth. With its help, with regular chewing, the acid-base balance in the mouth is normalized, regular stomatitis and other inflammations disappear. After eating, a harmful acidic environment forms on the enamel of the teeth, and there is an alkali in saliva that neutralizes the acid.

2. Thanks to chewing gum, premature damage to teeth is inhibited if they are still healthy. It is advisable to brush your teeth with a toothbrush, not hoping that the chewing gum will remove all food debris. If the teeth are already damaged - carious holes, damaged fillings, cracks, then chewing gum will not only not save, but, on the contrary, will harm. It will speed up the inflammatory process.

3. Salivation speeds up the process of digestion of food, provoking the release of gastric juice, so chewing gum is a magic wand when you feel overeating or indigestion.

4. It is important to know how to chew. For example, chewing gum can help get rid of stuffy ears on an airplane. Other benefits: chewing gum strengthens the jaw and gums, stimulates blood circulation in the jaw tissues. Gummies and hard fruits have the same beneficial effect.

5. Psychologists believe that chewing gum helps to distract from obsessive thoughts, find peace, and suppress stress in the bud. It is enough to work with the jaws a little concentratedly - and the soul will become a little calmer. For some, chewing gum even helps to focus.

About cons

1. Chewing gum can be harmful if you put it in your mouth too often, at every opportunity. Stick to the rule: as soon as the taste of gum ceases to be felt, it is time to spit out the gum. This usually happens 7 minutes after the start of chewing gum.

2. From prolonged mechanical chewing, tooth enamel is erased. It loses its smoothness, changes color.

3. If you began to chew gum after every meal, as well as while watching TV, reading a book, then you may become addicted to it. Like an addiction to cigarettes. If you do not constantly chew, then there will be a feeling of discomfort, some kind of emptiness.

4. Chewing gum for a very long time to the state of a hardening mass tires the jaw and can cause headache. Reusable use of chewing gum can provoke a sudden toxic effect: a feeling of nausea occurs, well-being worsens. The fact is that the chewing gum has absorbed toxins from the decaying tiny remnants of food, and they penetrate the body.

5. Gastric juice secreted during chewing can be harmful if you chew gum on an empty stomach. The stomach is taken for digestion, but inside it is empty. As a result, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea and gastritis appear.

6. The composition of gum is far from perfect. It can detect harmful components that provoke problems in the oral cavity and in the functioning of the liver and intestines. These are, for example, dyes E171, E129, E132, taste stabilizers E414, E422, antioxidant E321, emulsifier E322. Phenylalanine is also not safe. Accumulating in the body, it adversely affects the work nervous system. The absence of sugar in chewing gum is not always regarded as a plus. Sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame, sorbitol have a negative effect on digestive system, blood and vessels.

Influence of chewing gum per person has both pros and cons. They will be discussed today.

In 1848, American businessman John Curtis set up the production of chewing gum of his own invention. And at the end of the 19th century, it was first introduced, which, as the advertisement said, "prevents tooth decay." Now advertising also convinces the consumer that it protects against caries and removes plaque. However, experts have their own opinion on this matter.

Ph-balance and caries

Many chewing gum manufacturers claim that it normalizes Ph-balance. But, chewing gum alone is not a means to reduce the level of Ph in the oral cavity. During chewing, in the first 2-3 minutes, the salivary glands are activated, which contain a large number of systems that balance the state of the oral cavity.

The acid balance in your mouth may change briefly depending on what food you just ate. But a smart organism itself is able to bring Ph-balance back to normal. Chewing gum can somehow affect him only if you chew it non-stop, including at night. And all statements about the effect of chewing gum on Ph-balance are purely a PR move.

Also, chewing gum manufacturers say that chewing gum reduces the level of acidity in the mouth and thus protects teeth from caries. However, the Ph level does not reduce the risk of developing caries, which occurs locally, under the influence of microorganisms. Microorganisms affect the enamel and hard tissues of the teeth.

When a person chews chewing gum or vegetables, there is only self-cleaning of chewing surfaces. Caries, on the other hand, appears on the interdental, which means that it is only conditionally possible to talk about the struggle of chewing gum with caries.

"Sugarless"

Manufacturers advertise gum with xylitol (“sugar free”), positioning influence of chewing gum as more beneficial for the teeth. There are no sugars in this chewing gum, which activate the development of microorganisms. Due to their activity, lactic acid is released, which destroys tooth enamel. However, if you do not chew gum at all, there will be no sugar either, respectively, there is also no benefit from chewing gum with xylitol.

There is an opinion that chewing gum promotes weight loss by dulling the feeling of hunger.

Indeed, occasionally, in order not to succumb to the temptation to intercept something in between meals, you can chew gum. But this is strictly forbidden for people who have any problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Composition of chewing gum

The main disadvantage of chewing gum is its composition.

Almost all chewing gum ingredients are not obtained naturally, but chemically. The basis of chewing gum is latex. It is believed that a particular harmful the effect of chewing gum on the body do not exist, although full-fledged studies on this issue have not been conducted.

Flavors that are used in the creation of chewing gum are natural or identical to natural. They can be harmful due to the fact that, as a rule, they are obtained chemically (by synthesis). But, in general, sanitary standards allow this.

Manufacturers add dyes to almost every chewing gum. Often found on packaging, E171 was previously banned in Russia. This dye is also called titanium white. Now their use in food products is acceptable. But keep in mind that such a dye can cause liver and kidney disease.

Harm

Dentists note that sometimes chewing gum is not only useless, but also harmful. Some people have overdeveloped chewing muscles, as a result of which increased abrasion of tooth enamel, and it is contraindicated for them to chew chewing gum.

Also, if you suffer from periodontal disease, have problems with tooth mobility, use dental constructions, you absolutely should not use chewing gum, as chewing gum can contribute to tooth decay.

Chewing gum is contraindicated those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract. It irritates the gastric mucosa: when chewing gum enters a person’s mouth, the body perceives it as a product. The result of such an irritated stomach is gastritis, an ulcer.

In any case, it will not be superfluous to visit the dentist regularly, once or twice a year, and undergo a blood test. To do this, you will need a medical record. You can find out about this at your local clinic or on the Internet.

Chewing gum - time

Constant gum chewing can lead to overload of the periodontal tissues. Initially, nature laid the benefits of chewing. The pressure, which is transmitted from the teeth to the gums, makes the so-called massage of the gums, improves their blood circulation. But overloading these tissues is much more dangerous than underloading. Constant chewing leads to squeezing of blood vessels in the gums, worsening blood circulation. This is fraught with the development of inflammatory processes - periodontitis and gingivitis.

Lovers always chew gum there is increased salivation. Prolonged chewing loads the salivary glands, makes them constantly at work. The consequence of this is that even when a person stops chewing, saliva continues to stand out, there is a desire to spit. This, of course, is not very aesthetically pleasing.

Some time after the constant chewing of the gum increased salivation, the reverse process begins. Saliva is getting smaller. And this has an extremely negative effect on digestion in general. Food does not receive the necessary amount of liquid and enzymes for its processing, it enters the stomach in a large solid lump. Here the first prerequisites for gastritis and ulcers begin.

Benefit

Of course, in some situations, the influence of chewing gum is positive character. For example, if you are sick in a car, chew gum and the nausea will subside. Also chewing gum is an essential item when traveling by plane. Chewing gum and, as a result, swallowing saliva will help with ear blockage.

Doctors do not say that chewing gum should not be consumed at all. For example, it is perfectly acceptable to chew it after a meal to clean the mouth a little and freshen the breath. But this method cannot be considered the only possible one. Brushing your teeth with a toothbrush is still preferable.

Chewing gum cannot harm a well-placed filling. It's just a myth that you'll lose all your fillings by chewing gum. But chewing gum should not be abused either. 15-20 minutes are enough to freshen your breath and enjoy its taste.

Nowadays, it is very common to see very young children chewing "adult" chewing gum. With amazing persistence they demand one more... a record, a pad or a whole package.

When observing this picture, questions arise: What are the benefits and harms of chewing gum? What chewing gum can be given to children, and what not? What can be dangerous passion for chewing gum? What can replace chewing gum?

Let's try to figure it all out.

A little about the history of chewing gum:

In 1848 in the USA, John Curtis invented chewing gum and set up his own production.

"Pros" of chewing gum:

In the process of chewing, the oral cavity is cleaned and deodorized, microstimulation of blood circulation in the gums occurs.
Under the influence of chewing saliva, flavoring substances are released, which determine the taste and smell of chewing gum.
Often chewing gum contains sugar substitutes, fluoride, which help teeth resist caries.

"Cons" of chewing gum:

If we talk about children, chewing gum distracts their attention and prevents them from concentrating on anything. But, according to British research, the use of chewing gum can positively influence the development of thinking and memory.
Chewing gum can be harmful to a child if he swallows it. Gum can get stuck in the throat, esophagus, or stomach. Without qualified medical care then you can't do it.
There is an opinion that if you chew gum, you do not need to brush your teeth. This is not true. Chewing gum is no substitute for brushing your teeth.
If you chew gum on an empty stomach, then excessive secretion of gastric juice can lead to the development of gastrointestinal diseases.
Prolonged chewing leads to an increase in the tone of the masticatory muscles. This can cause teeth to grind.

When is chewing gum not recommended?

In case of periodontal diseases, fillings, especially temporary and braces, can collapse.
Children under 3 years of age should not be given chewing gum.

Tips for parents on choosing chewing gum:

It is better to buy white gum (without dyes) for children and allow them to chew it for no more than 10 minutes, a maximum of 3-4 times a day.

It is safer to buy chewing gum from reputable brands. In some countries, bad rubber is used in the production of gum, with many side effects.
Poor-quality chewing gum can be determined by tasting. It will be tougher, quickly lose its taste and aroma, and “puff up” badly.
If your child cannot imagine life without chewing gum, then you can try replacing it with chewing candy or, in extreme cases, resin. coniferous trees. There are no preservatives and dyes in natural resin.

Finally, one curious incident that happened to me in early childhood. The end of the 80s, the first chewing gum suddenly appeared on the shelves. Parents, of course, decided to “spoil” me and my brother with them. After dinner, they promised to give us chewing gum. Finally, a chewing gum, so alluring and long-awaited, in a bright package in my hands. Wrappers are flying to the side… I “chew” this chewing gum with incredible pleasure, trying to inflate a huge “ball”. After dinner, as expected, a siesta. I flatly refused to spit out my "treasure", saying that I would sleep with her. I wake up, surprised .. all for some reason wrapped in a cocoon with thin threads of chewing gum ... even in my hair ... There was no limit to screams, groans, mother's surprise and indignation. She had to spend a lot of time in order to return me to the "original appearance." Since then, with chewing gum, I behave as carefully as possible, even the "balls" somehow lost my interest in inflating.

Minuses:

Chewing gum does not promote weight loss!

The University of Alabama School of Medicine at Birmingham debunked the myth of weight loss through chewing gum. In a 2-month test, a group of 201 overweight people ate gum on schedule. As a result, it turned out that their mass indicators practically did not decrease.

Contains toxins

Chewing gum can be based on petroleum products. The synthetic antioxidant hydroxytoluene can cause cancer, asthma, and behavioral problems in children. Talc and cornstarch are GMO products. Among sweeteners - extremely harmful aspartame (kills the microflora of the stomach, leads to diabetes). The white color of the gum is supported by titanium dioxide, bright colors- synthetic dyes.

Leads to gastritis and bloating

There is an activation of the "vagus nerve" during chewing and active secretion of the stomach in the absence of food. The result - an empty stomach has to "digest" itself. Swallowing excess air can cause bloating.

jet lag

The concentration of attention that the product leads to can provoke problems with sleep. Therefore, it is worth abandoning it in the evening.

jaw problems

Human jaws are not adapted for continuous chewing. The indiscriminate use of chewing gum provokes an imbalance in the muscular system (if chewed on only one side) or an overall increase in muscle stiffness. The latter leads to violations of the temporomandibular composition and frequent headaches.

Harms the environment

90% of chewing gum is synthetic and does not biodegrade. If a fish or bird swallows it, they often die.

Those few advantages of chewing gum are completely leveled by serious and even dangerous shortcomings. What can be advised? Practice an active lifestyle for anxiety reduction, meditation and breathing exercises to activate the brain, chew food thoroughly - and you will not have to seek help from chewing gum that is unnecessary for the body.