HOW MUCH GUM DO YOU CHEW?

Hey, it's Marco! The average person chews around 300 or more pieces of gum a year. Hmm... Okay. So what! I wonder where gum comes from? The store? Nay Nay! Oh, before I forget, did you know most commercial chewing gums contain sweeteners (either natural, artificial, or sugar alcohols), artificial flavors, controversial additives like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) — banned in some countries and that ever-so-vague ingredient: “gum base." Yummy yummy in my tummy, dummy! The biggest brands’ gum base is made from petroleum-based polymers (yes, it is also what plastic bags and rubber tires are made from). Shouldn't the gum base be made from chicle (a gum sourced from Sapodilla trees), rather than synthetic polymers? Just a thought... (In early times, gum’s main ingredients came from local trees, including birch, sapodilla and spruce. Sometimes people sweetened this gum with honey or corn syrup) Later, manufacturers also sweetened gum with sugar and sugar substitutes. Then Big Gum came to town... Is chewing gum really that bad for you? It all depends... ahh, such is life!

The Pros: 

1. MyNewSmile, a dentistry web site, states in this article that chewing gum is beneficial to those when access to a toothbrush and toothpaste is unavailable in removing material from the outer layer of the tooth while promoting the flow of saliva to help reduce cavities. Additionally, the American Dental Association has a seal that certifies their acceptance of a certain product, and certain sugarfree gums like Orbit (Crap!) or Trident (More Crap!) often bear that seal.  Even though these two great tasting gums, btw, are loaded with, well, crap! But damn, they're good! 

2. In Wrigley’s article here about the benefits of chewing gum, it is stated that alertness, especially in children during class, is increased by the chewing movement. Some studies’ statistics are given on the website, including test grades and their differences when compared and contrasted with chewing gum use.

3. Weight loss is also a studied factor with chewing gum. In Chewing Gum Facts article here, a writer explains how high-calorie snacks are replaced or reduced when gum is used as the act of chewing something is often all that is wanted or even just to have a flavor or taste in the mouth.

These three reasons are prominent factors, including plain old reducing bad breath or reducing stress, or even as an alternative to smoking for some.

Cons:

1. The artificial ingredients in most gums is often a topic of concern for those in opposition of chewing gum. In this article here, the synthetics inside the actual gum are examined and the possible dangers surrounding them.

2. Specifically the sugar or artificial sweeteners in gum are main factors not in favor of chewing. An article on Mercola Health sheds light on the uncertain thoughts on aspartame, a common sugar replacement.

3. The laxative effect that many gums have can have a negative impact on the body. In addition, in the instance of swallowing the gum, there could be digestive-related problems.

Another reason relates to jaw problems that can be developed through the constant chewing motion. Also, reasons like the unsightly littering or sticking under the table of chewing gum are problematic. Interesting... I've been chewing gum for years and I don't believe my jaw ever hurt. Got it in my hair quite a few times. Anyway, I had a few minutes to spare...



Chewing Gum...