10 Surprising benefits of sugar free chewing gum
Today, sugar free chewing gum is the most popular type of sugar free candy to purchase. Why? Maybe because it tastes just as good. But there are other benefits too!
Sugar free chewing gum is not just for fun or to make bubbles, it is extended to health, as the health benefits of sugar-free gum are a lot. read on for 10 surprising benefits of sugar free chewing gums that will make you want to stock up on these delicious treats.
Benefits sugar free chewing gum
Among the most important of these benefits are the following:
1. Improved focus and memory
Sugar free chewing gum has been found to enhance mental performance and cognitive functions, such as: concentration, memory, and reaction times.
Chewing gum in General increases blood flow to the brain , which in turn increases the amount of oxygen available to the brain, which enhances memory and cognitive performance.
2. Improved alertness
Chewing gum can increase alertness .
It’s believed that the chewing motion of the jaw stimulates nerves and parts of the brain associated with arousal, as well as increasing blood flow, which may help people feel alert or awake for longer.
The mint flavor is also believed to be particularly beneficial for this purpose.
3. Reduce stress and anxiety
One of the benefits of sugar-free gum is that it may help relieve nervous energy and increase feelings of calm, as it was found that chewing gum helps reduce stress hormones , cortisol, which are released in response to the body’s states of excitement.
Chewing gum is often a great alternative to nervous habits such as nail biting, leg rocking, or feeling stressed out.
4. Sugar-Free Chewing Gums Help Fight Cavities
Scientific studies have shown that sugar-free chewing gums with xylitol reduce the growth of bacteria in your mouth. This can help prevent cavities and tooth decay by reducing plaque (source). Plaque is the buildup of bacteria, food particles, and saliva on our teeth. Sugarless gum containing fluoride helps fight cavity-causing oral bacteria too!
Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal also stimulates salivary flow which washes away leftover food from your mouth before it causes damage to your teeth (source).
The American Dental Association recommends chewing gum for 20 minutes after meals, as it has been shown to reduce plaque, encourage tooth enamel, reduce cavities and reduce gingivitis .
5. Reduces heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease
For some people with reflux and heartburn, chewing gum after meals may help reduce acid in the esophagus by increasing the production of saliva that removes acid more quickly.
6. Refresh the breath
One of the benefits of sugar-free gum and flavored with mint in particular is that it refreshes the smell of the mouth, and gets rid of bad smell, if any.
Chewing gum also reduces the level of bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath.
7. Help smokers quit smoking
Chewing gum is not a major factor in quitting smoking, but the use of products such as: nicotine gum, can help with this.
In addition, chewing gum helps reduce cravings for cigarettes in the mouth.
8. Relieves dry mouth
Another oral health benefit of chewing sugarless gum includes combating dry mouth.
It has been observed that chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva up to 10 times the rest rate.
9. Relieves earache during flights
One of the benefits of sugar-free gum is that it relieves earache caused by changes in air pressure during takeoff and landing on an airplane.
When chewing gum, saliva is produced, which can help balance pressure in the ears.
10. Helps to lose weight
Chewing gum helps suppress cravings and makes you eat less.
In fact, chewing gum helps curb cravings for sugary foods, which is one of the main reasons behind weight gain.
It has been found that chewing gum is used as an easy and practical tool for managing cravings and consumption of snacks, especially sweets.
Chewing gum also reduces hunger for food, possibly through alterations in gut hormone responses related to satiety.
How to get the most benefits of sugar free chewing gum?
To get the benefits of sugar free gum, you should follow these tips:
- You should refrain from chewing gum if you suffer from any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular disorder.
- Do not make chewing gum a substitute for brushing and flossing , as these must be used to maintain the cleanliness and safety of oral and dental health.
- You should choose sugar-free varieties to avoid damage to your teeth due to sugar.
- You should chew gum with your mouth closed, to prevent large amounts of gas from entering the stomach.
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