BITS & PIECES - WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHEWING GUM

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Chewing gum during the workday was associated with higher productivity and fewer cognitive problems, raised cortisol levels in the morning, and did not affect heart rate. The results emphasize that chewing gum can attenuate reductions in alertness, suggesting that chewing gum enhances worker performance.

    Chewing Gum: Cognitive Performance, Mood, Well-Being ... Does chewing gum improve cognitive function? RATIONALE: Recent research suggests that chewing gum may improve aspects of cognitive function and mood. There is also evidence suggesting that chewing gum reduces stress. ... The volunteers rated their mood at the start and end of each session and had their heart rate monitored over the session.

    Effects of chewing gum on cognitive function, mood and physiology ...Does chewing gum increase blood flow to the brain? Chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain. This, in turn, increases oxygen to the brain, which can help enhance your memory and cognitive performance. Some studies have reported that chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain by 25-40%.

Five health benefits of chewing gum

The Hello Doctor Medical Blog Chewing gum can be fun, and good for you. Here are the most interesting health-benefits:

Combat stress and anxiety — Chewing gum can relieve nervous energy and reduce tension. This is a nice by-product of the act of chewing itself. According to an Australian study, the rhythmic motion of gum chewing can help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, making you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Boost memory — Chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain. This, in turn, increases oxygen to the brain, which can help enhance your memory and cognitive performance. Some studies have reported that chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain by 25-40%. Continuous chewing also activates your hippocampus, the part of your brain that’s crucial to your memory and learning.

Better concentration — Besides boosting your memory, chewing gum can also increase your focus and alertness. The chewing movement is thought to stimulate nerves and areas in the brain associated with arousal, in addition to increasing blood flow. This may help you feel more awake. Mint-flavoured gum is especially useful here, finds a study in Physiology & Behaviour.

Suppress appetite — Trying to drop a few kilos? Chew on this: a study published in the journal Appetite found that chewing gum for at least 45 minutes or 15 minutes per hour for three hours, reduced appetite and cravings for snacks, and increased the feeling of fullness. This concludes that chewing gum regularly may help you eat less and prevent overeating, which may help you lose weight.

Improve oral health — Chewing gum increases saliva flow, which helps wash away harmful sugars, food debris and decay-causing acids from your mouth. It can fight bad breath, prevent stains, reduce plaque and protect against cavities and tooth decay. Just make sure your gum is sugar-free. Sugar feeds the bad bacteria in your mouth, which can damage your teeth. Look for a gum sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.