FaRaSHa
19-09-06, 09:49 PM
By Tim Burnett, MSN UK
Last updated September 14 2006
28 million Brits chew gum on a regular basis. But were you aware of the sticky stuff's many health benefits?
New research has found that chewing gum is, among other things, good for oral health, concentration and can even play a part in weight-loss management.
The ancient Greeks did it and native Americans did it. Sir Alex Ferguson does it a lot and it’s a safe bet you’ve done it too. Throughout history people have chewed gum (in many guises), mainly to keep there teeth clean and breath fresh.
Today we still see chewing gum as a breath freshener, or a sugar-free alternative to sweets. However, over the past few years the dental benefits of chewing the gummy stuff have been highlighted in the battle against tooth decay. Organisations such as the British Dental Health Foundation recognises the importance of chewing sugar-free gum to help keep your mouth healthy. New research by Wrigley’s suggests that the benefits of chewing gum go beyond fresh breath and dental health. We look at some of their claims.
Oral Hygiene
Why is chewing gum good for our teeth? Our mouth is at its most vulnerable after a meal or snack when plague acid rises and attacks the minerals in tooth enamel. This lowers our dental defences and results in tooth decay. As it is not always convenient to take a toothbrush with you wherever you go, chewing gum is the next best alternative.
A gum such as new Wrigley's Orbit Complete contains polyols such as xylitol, which can prevent bacteria from growing in the mouth. Polyols also boost saliva production by up to ten times and, according to clinical trials, the benefits of this are:
It dilutes and flushes out dietary sugars.
It contains a mild alkali (hydrogen carbonate) which neutralises the acid in the mouth.
It contains minerals such as calcium, phosphate and fluoride – all components of tooth enamel which can help repair early decay and strengthen teeth.
Alertness and concentration
According to recent research, chewing gum can actually help improve our ability to recall and retain information. When we pop a piece of gum in our mouth and chew away we increase the blood flow to the brain, and it is believed that this may provide extra oxygen to the brain.
Studies by the University of Northumbria in Newcastle and the Cognitive Research Unit in Reading have suggested that chewing gum can increase long and short term memory by up to 35%. Professor Scholey, director of the University’s Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit believes that the act of chewing enhances mental performance. He said: “We found a very clear pattern of improved memory. People recalled more words and performed better in tests on working memory when they chewed gum.”
Stress
Studies have shown that the act of chewing can stimulate the areas of the brain associated with reducing stress. Gum was even given to American soldiers during World War One for the very purpose of reducing stress and is still included in military rations today. Historian Robert Hendrickson, in his Great American Gum Book, asked a number of psychiatrists and psychologists about the benefits of chewing gum. They answered:
To relieve feelings of loneliness and boredom.
To relieve tension by discharging nervous energy.
To provide a quick, socially acceptable outlet for anger and irritation.
Weight control
Gum has long been a weapon in the fight against flab; if nothing else, it stops the serial snacker stuffing anything else in their mouth. The physical act of chewing gum can replace an unhealthy snack. Chewing gum actually burns 11 calories an hour and raise your metabolic rate by up to 20%.
Gum can also help you avoid those guilty 'stealth' calories (the foods which we snack on while preparing a meal), thus stopping you eating your daily allowance of calories before sitting down for your main meal.
....The link....
Goods of GUM (http://www.msn.co.uk/health/chewinggum/)
Last updated September 14 2006
28 million Brits chew gum on a regular basis. But were you aware of the sticky stuff's many health benefits?
New research has found that chewing gum is, among other things, good for oral health, concentration and can even play a part in weight-loss management.
The ancient Greeks did it and native Americans did it. Sir Alex Ferguson does it a lot and it’s a safe bet you’ve done it too. Throughout history people have chewed gum (in many guises), mainly to keep there teeth clean and breath fresh.
Today we still see chewing gum as a breath freshener, or a sugar-free alternative to sweets. However, over the past few years the dental benefits of chewing the gummy stuff have been highlighted in the battle against tooth decay. Organisations such as the British Dental Health Foundation recognises the importance of chewing sugar-free gum to help keep your mouth healthy. New research by Wrigley’s suggests that the benefits of chewing gum go beyond fresh breath and dental health. We look at some of their claims.
Oral Hygiene
Why is chewing gum good for our teeth? Our mouth is at its most vulnerable after a meal or snack when plague acid rises and attacks the minerals in tooth enamel. This lowers our dental defences and results in tooth decay. As it is not always convenient to take a toothbrush with you wherever you go, chewing gum is the next best alternative.
A gum such as new Wrigley's Orbit Complete contains polyols such as xylitol, which can prevent bacteria from growing in the mouth. Polyols also boost saliva production by up to ten times and, according to clinical trials, the benefits of this are:
It dilutes and flushes out dietary sugars.
It contains a mild alkali (hydrogen carbonate) which neutralises the acid in the mouth.
It contains minerals such as calcium, phosphate and fluoride – all components of tooth enamel which can help repair early decay and strengthen teeth.
Alertness and concentration
According to recent research, chewing gum can actually help improve our ability to recall and retain information. When we pop a piece of gum in our mouth and chew away we increase the blood flow to the brain, and it is believed that this may provide extra oxygen to the brain.
Studies by the University of Northumbria in Newcastle and the Cognitive Research Unit in Reading have suggested that chewing gum can increase long and short term memory by up to 35%. Professor Scholey, director of the University’s Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit believes that the act of chewing enhances mental performance. He said: “We found a very clear pattern of improved memory. People recalled more words and performed better in tests on working memory when they chewed gum.”
Stress
Studies have shown that the act of chewing can stimulate the areas of the brain associated with reducing stress. Gum was even given to American soldiers during World War One for the very purpose of reducing stress and is still included in military rations today. Historian Robert Hendrickson, in his Great American Gum Book, asked a number of psychiatrists and psychologists about the benefits of chewing gum. They answered:
To relieve feelings of loneliness and boredom.
To relieve tension by discharging nervous energy.
To provide a quick, socially acceptable outlet for anger and irritation.
Weight control
Gum has long been a weapon in the fight against flab; if nothing else, it stops the serial snacker stuffing anything else in their mouth. The physical act of chewing gum can replace an unhealthy snack. Chewing gum actually burns 11 calories an hour and raise your metabolic rate by up to 20%.
Gum can also help you avoid those guilty 'stealth' calories (the foods which we snack on while preparing a meal), thus stopping you eating your daily allowance of calories before sitting down for your main meal.
....The link....
Goods of GUM (http://www.msn.co.uk/health/chewinggum/)