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Chewing gum contributes to being overweight
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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The development of new technologies, the emergence and dissemination of new knowledge about available food products, the desire of people to take care of oral hygiene have led to the fact that chewing gum has become one of the most popular and sought-after culinary products. Experts have long recognized chewing gum as a good means in the fight against caries or hygienic diseases of the oral cavity. Despite the advantages, chewing gum has several major disadvantages. One of them is that regular use of chewing gum leads to excess weight.
Researchers from Ohio State (USA) have found that chewing gum increases the risk of obesity several times. The fact is that chewing gum with a mint flavor is usually chosen as a refreshing agent, and the taste of mint increases the desire to eat something high-calorie and sweet. Experts are sure that chewing gum, of course, copes with its purpose: breath becomes fresh, the oral cavity is cleaned after a single meal, a person feels more comfortable. But, in any case, you need to accept the fact that the use of gum can affect the appearance of extra pounds.
The results of recent experiments have shown that the most loyal fans of chewing gum are those people who prefer high-calorie food to light salads and snacks. Experts reported that this pattern is due to the fact that the refreshing gum necessarily contains menthol or mint flavoring, which can change taste preferences. Flavorings especially affect the taste of healthy food - fresh vegetables and fruits - they can seem unpleasant and tasteless. The human body requires products with a high sugar content and a persistent sweet smell, since a person gets used to the pronounced sweet taste of chewing gum.
American scientists conducted a study involving more than forty volunteers. Each of them was offered to play a simple children's game, the prize for winning which was a different type of food: fresh seasonal fruits or fast food, chips, sweet candies and soda. Before completing the game levels, all participants chewed sweet chewing gum with a mint flavor or with a fruity unsweetened flavor for 15-20 minutes. The results of the experiment showed that those people who initially chose mint chewing gum, without much enthusiasm took part in competitions for which the judges appointed fruits or vegetables as a prize. The participants admitted that they would have been much happier with sweet candies, chips or Coca-Cola.
Some people believe that chewing gum helps them lose weight because they eat at least half as much food during the day. This statement can be considered partly true: chewing gum does help get rid of the obsessive feeling of hunger. Chewing gum lovers do eat fewer products, which are nevertheless high in calories.
Those who gave up chewing gum before the contest, or chose citrus or not-too-sweet gum, were delighted to receive prizes in the form of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy snack options.
Earlier, scientists from Great Britain proved that chewing gum stimulates brain activity and promotes increased concentration on small details. Chewing gum lovers turned out to be more precise, accurate and faster than those people who gave up gum.
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