* Regular chewing gum has multiple benefits
* Can help with weight loss and stomach aches
* Can also help maintain your focus
You pop that Dentyne on a date, but gum can do more than just freshen breath. It can affect the way you think, the way you feel and even the way you look. Here are seven easy health benefits you get from chewing gum.
1. Healthier Teeth and Gums
According to the American Dental Association, chewing gum fights plaque and strengthens tooth enamel. Gum activates the flow of saliva, which flushes sugar, acid and food particles from the mouth. You’ll have healthier teeth and fewer cavities.
2. Fights Indigestion
Prone to heartburn or acid reflux? Doctors say chewing gum after a meal can help ease digestion. The motion of gum chewing encourages swallowing, which in turn helps to clear acid from your throat and stomach. But reach for a pack of cinnamon gum – mint can actually make your heartburn worse.
3. Controls Your Cravings
According to a study done by Wrigley’s – so, uh, view it with an appropriate level of skepticism – you can kick a craving with a piece of gum. Satisfy your sweet tooth by reaching for a piece of strawberry shortcake gum or stick of Juicy Fruit as opposed to having an actual slice of cake. Your brain often just wants a “hit” of something sweet; it doesn’t need the whole thing (Your body will thank you too).
[caption id="attachment_63009" align="aligncenter" width="392"]
Image courtesy of Amazon[/caption]4. Burns Calories
Another weight loss benefit: a Mayo Clinic study found that chewing gum burns about a dozen calories per hour – hardly the same as working out, but more than you’d burn just sitting on your butt for the same period of time.
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5. Improves Alertness
Falling asleep in class or at work? Chewing mint flavored gum can help you stay awake and boost mental performance. Doctors say the chewing movement of the jaw stimulates your nerves and increases blood flow, while the smell of mint is an instant mood booster.
6. Fights Anxiety
Chew on a piece of gum instead of your nails when you’re stressed or anxious. A study out of Australia found that gum chewing helped to reduce cortisol – the hormone that causes stress. Close your eyes and focus on chewing for a minute or so for an extra meditative moment.
7. Chest Enhancement
In the early 2000s, a company out of Japan introduced “Bust Up” gum, which touted its breast enlargement properties. The gum contained traces of pueraria mirifica, a plant that’s often used as a female hormone supplement, which in turn, can um, “boost the bosom.” Zoft’s “Fulfill” Female Enhancement Gum works on the same premise, boasting 13 natural herbs that stimulate breast tissue. Reviews have been mixed, but you can dream, can’t you?
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