6 Pros and Cons of Chewing Gum

One of the candy items most loved by people, chewing gum is commonly seen enjoyed by schoolchildren as well as employees. However, a lot of schools and businesses demand students and staff members to refrain from chewing gum, not knowing that there are actually some benefits that come with it. Interested? Well, if you are one of those who love this sugary sweet, it is best to know its pros and cons.

List of Pros of Chewing Gum

1. It helps relieve heartburn.
According to research, chewing gum produces extra saliva that would neutralize the digestive acids inside your stomach that had leaked into your esophagus. Aside from this, it aids in forcing back such fluids into your stomach. It is said that chewing sugarless gum for at least half an hour will do the trick and will offer relief for as long as 3 hours.

2. It can make your breath fresh.
It is said that chewing gum can kill bacteria in your mouth, therefore providing you fresher breath. As previously mentioned, this activity will produce more saliva, which means lesser bacteria in your mouth. There are specially made gums with certain substances that helps prevent the replication of mouth bacteria, so you might choose them for extra protection.

3. It helps with weight loss.
This is a perk that gained the interest of many people. While many chewing gum brands are known to be packed with sugar and calories that can contribute to weight gain, a number of research found that chewing gum, specifically those free of sugar, will actually decrease over-eating and cravings for food. Basically, it is found to help suppress appetite, particularly for snack foods and sweets.

List of Cons of Chewing Gum

1. It might trigger temporomandibular joint disorder.
Chewing gum has been known to cause jaw muscle imbalance, as you would chew more on one side, and even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which is a chronic condition that is painful. This is due to over-using a certain set of muscles in your jaw, which can complicate to toothaches, earaches and headaches.

2. It can contribute to tooth damage.
Chewing gum that contains high sugar content will be basically bathing your teeth in sugar, which is a known cause of tooth decay. Even if it is a sugar-free gum, it would still carry the risk, as it still contains acidic preservatives and flavorings that can lead to dental erosion, which is a process of incremental decalcification that literally dissolves your teeth over time.

3. It might increase your cravings for junk food.
While some studies show that chewing on a stick of gum will reduce your motivation to eat, others claim that it will actually increase your hunger and lead you to eating food that are less nutritious, such as junk food.

Chewing gum definitely has its own set of pros and cons that you should weigh down in order to conclude about how you feel about it. Depending on your understanding, you will be able to decide whether it is right for you, or not.