Chewing gum, which typically comes in a stick or square form, can be easily found in the convenience or grocery stores, supermarkets and even pharmacies. They come in different kinds of flavours ranging from mint to fruity varieties. Here are 9 Surprising Benefits Of Chewing Gum.
1) Improve Mental Alertness
Feeling sleepy at work during the typical afternoon slump? Instead of hitting a cup of hot coffee, why not chew a piece of gum? Look for a chewing gum that has a mint flavour since it helps refresh your senses, allowing you to stay awake as well as increasing blood flow by at least 25%.
2) Helps To Prevent Tooth Decay
Apparently, brushing your teeth twice a day and gargling with mouthwash isn’t the only way to keep your teeth healthy. Even chewing gum does the trick as well. But of course, this is only applicable as long as you opt for the sugar-free gum variety. So, try to chew a piece of sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals. Doing so on a regular basis can help reduce cavities, gingivitis and plaque since it increases saliva flow, which in turn, minimises the acid build-up typically associated with tooth decay.
3) Relieve Acid Reflux & Heartburn
Running out of antacid? The next best alternative is to get a stick of gum and chew it after meals, particularly if you are suffering from acid reflux and heartburn. Chewing gum is able to provide relief, as it helps to minimise acid in the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat with the stomach). It also increases saliva production and reduces the level of acid build-up. However, keep in mind that chewing gums with mint flavours (e.g. peppermint, spearmint) is not recommended to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
4) Combat Bad Breath & Dry Mouth
If you are prone to bad breath or dry mouth, chewing gum is the best way to go. Look for the one with xylitol, which helps to fight bad breath and dry mouth by increasing saliva production and reducing bacteria in the mouth.
5) Aids Digestion
Having a tough time digesting some of your favourite food? Well, chewing gum may help counter the problem. Again, choose the one with xylitol and chew a piece of gum after meals to produce more saliva. This, in turn, reduces the acid in your stomach and prevents indigestion.
6) Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Are you stressed out or feeling anxious due to a heavy workload or perhaps, an upcoming final school exam? Try chewing a piece of gum. It helps to minimise the stress hormone commonly known as cortisol, which can be found in the saliva.
7) Curb Your Cravings
Food cravings can actually do more harm than good, particularly if you are on a mission to shed some weight off your body. This is especially if you tend to crave for sugary snacks, fatty or high-calorie foods. Fortunately, you can minimise your food cravings by chewing a piece of gum after meals. Chewing gum encourages you to eat less, allowing you to manage your weight at the same time.
8) Combat Nausea & Motion Sickness
Feeling nauseous or having motion sickness after riding a roller coaster in a theme park or experiencing a 3D virtual-reality show? Try a piece of chewing gum (e.g. peppermint flavour) to relieve nausea or motion sickness. Looks like ginger isn’t the only popular remedy for such symptoms.
9) Relieve Airplane Ear Pressure
If you’ve flown on a plane before, one of the most annoying things that could happen is enduring the airplane ear pressure. This type of ear pain typically occurs during takeoff and landing. Swallowing or yawning can help relieve the ear pain but there is another way you can use: chewing a piece of gum. Besides, chewing gum increases saliva production and helps equalise the pressure in your ear.
