What can you chew instead of gum? Consequences of long-term use. How to chew gum without harming your health

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All people, starting from ancient times, constantly chewed something. It could be tree resin, leaves with aromas, tobacco, etc. This gave the breath a fresh aroma, left a pleasant taste in the mouth and even helped fight unpleasant plaque on the teeth. But at that time there was no such thing as chewing gum, and it gained popularity in the second half of the 20th century. During this period, people became so keen on chewing it that manufacturers began to produce chewing gum in a wide variety of forms: colored, different tastes and different sizes.

The basis of chewing gum is rubber, it is used to make the most different types chewing gum. It is this that gives the elastic consistency to this product. Despite the fact that this component is of natural origin, it is also used to use rubber and even glue. In addition, the elastic base of the chewing gum is given by latex, which is also included in its composition. Everything else is all kinds of dyes, flavors and flavor enhancers that make the chewing gum sweet and aromatic. In fact, after studying this composition, it is difficult to find any benefit in this product, but despite this, repeated studies of chewing gum have shown that in some cases it can be useful.

The benefits of chewing gum

1. Chewing gum helps with weight loss. The study found that chewing ordinary gum significantly speeds up the metabolism in the body. And with the help of chewing gum, you can forget about your appetite for a while, because when chewing, nerve endings are stimulated. They are the ones who transmit a signal to the brain that a person is full.
2. Chewing gum affects memory. Some say that chewing gum significantly dulls memory; a person can instantly forget about what he needs to do or where he put something 5 minutes ago. Indeed, as studies by English psychologists have shown, regular chewing of this product worsens short-term memory. But other scientists in this area have found that chewing gum stimulates the production of insulin, which is responsible for the activity of brain section, which not only improves memory, but also helps to awaken the oldest memories.
3. Chewing can massage your gums and clean your teeth. Of course, the effect is far from the same as brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste. But due to the fact that chewing gum is elastic and sticky, it can remove food debris from the teeth. This is why some dentists recommend chewing gum immediately after meals.
4. Scientists have proven that chewing gum can be soothing and can also be good for chewing during stress. This is explained by the fact that during the chewing process a person experiences feelings of satisfaction and calm. He experienced similar sensations when he was in infancy, and he was soothed by the pacifier and sucking of his mother’s breast.
5. Chewing gum helps eliminate bad breath from the mouth. Of course, its effect is short-lived, but there is still a result. Today, there are many types of chewing gum and they are also produced specifically for the purpose of having fresh and pleasant breath.

Chewing gum harm

1. Chewing gum does not replace brushing your teeth and does not protect against tooth decay. Dentists say that you should not brush your teeth with an elastic band, and also assure that it will not protect against caries, since it does not appear on chewing surfaces. Also, during the chewing process, it has the ability to destroy fillings and harm crowns and bridges.
2. Chewing gum contains a substance called aspartame. In certain concentrations it is dangerous for people and can cause the development of dangerous diseases.
3. Many people think that with its help you can get rid of bad smell from mouth. But in reality this is not so, it can only add freshness for a few minutes, otherwise it is completely useless.
4. Children and pregnant women are strictly prohibited from chewing gum. The study established that it contains substances that pose a great danger.
5. Chewing gum for a long time leads to diseases such as gastritis and stomach ulcer. This is due to the fact that when chewing, gastric juice is produced and a large amount of it irritates the stomach, which causes the development of of this disease. It is recommended to chew it after meals and for no more than 5 minutes.
6. Considering that chewing gum contains many dyes and flavors, it is not advisable to use it. After all, as is known, such substances have a detrimental effect not only on internal state person, but also on the condition of nails, hair and skin.

What can replace chewing gum?

• Resin from various trees is considered a good mouth freshener; in addition, it also strengthens gums well; it has been used since ancient times.
• Chewing coffee beans helps eliminate bad breath because they have useful material that destroy bacteria.
• Mint and parsley leaves are used to subdue hunger a little and, of course, freshen breath. Herbs contain vitamins that dull appetite and do absolutely no harm.
• Chewing marmalade is considered a good substitute for chewing gum. It can be prepared at home using any fruit, sugar and water. This marmalade does not harm the child and with its help he will be able to forget about the existence of chewing gum.

We found out that chewing gum can be both harmful and beneficial. It is useful to chew it after eating; with its help, food is well digested, and the teeth are freed from its remnants. Some gum have whitening ingredients that make your teeth white and beautiful after drinking coffee or red wine.

If you chew gum frequently and a lot, it can be harmful and dangerous to your health. If you chew it on an empty stomach, it can lead to ulcers or gastritis. Also, various additives contained in it can cause allergies in some people. Chewing gum should be consumed in moderation so as not to cause harm to health.

Find out more more information about the benefits and harms of regular chewing gum from this video:

Since ancient times, people have been chewing something: the ancient Greeks - the resin of the mastic tree, the Mayans - rubber, the Siberians - larch resin, and in India - a mixture of aromatic leaves. All these “chewing gums” added aroma and freshness to the breath, eliminated unpleasant odors, cleaned the teeth, massaged the gums, and simply left a pleasant taste in the mouth. After the discovery of America, chewing tobacco appeared in Europe and became very widespread.

But this is all background. And the history of chewing gum began on September 23, 1848, when the world's first factory for its production appeared. Factory founder John Curtis made a chewing mixture from resin coniferous trees with added flavors. But the first attempt to make chewing gum in industrial scale was not successful. Nevertheless, the history of chewing gum begins its countdown from the founding of the factory.

Interesting

Since the early 1970s in the USSR, chewing gum candy wrappers and “inserts” with pictures, stickers and transferable tattoos have been collectible objects among schoolchildren.

On June 5, 1869, a dentist from Ohio patented his chewing gum recipe. And in 1871 Thomas Adams received a patent for the invention of a machine for the production of chewing gum. It was at his factory that, 17 years later, the famous “Tutti-frutti”, the chewing gum that conquered all of America, would be produced.

Since then, chewing gum has undergone many metamorphoses: it changed colors and tastes, was produced in the form of balls, cubes, butterflies, etc. and took a very important place in the lives of young people in the second half of the 20th century, and even today remains very popular.

13 facts about chewing gum

1. Chewing gum helps you lose weight. American scientists have discovered that the process of losing weight is facilitated by the use of chewing gum - it speeds up metabolism by as much as 19%.

Chewing gum also helps reduce appetite - chewing stimulates nerve endings, which transmit a signal to the brain area responsible for satiety.

2. Chewing gum affects memory. There is active debate about the effect of chewing gum on memory. Thus, psychologists from England have found that chewing gum impairs short-term memory, which is needed for immediate orientation. A person may quickly forget the price of a product that he just held in his hands, or lose the keys in the apartment. According to scientists, any monotonous unconscious movement has a detrimental effect on it, that is, the person becomes more absent-minded.

But scientists from the University of Newcastle (USA) believe that when chewing, the activity of the parts of the brain responsible for memory increases, insulin production and heart rate increase, which means that a person thinks much better. Japanese researchers came to the same conclusion. During their experiment, chewing reduced the time it took subjects to complete tasks; chewers completed them 10% faster than those who did not chew gum.

3. Chewing gum is useful. During chewing, salivation increases, which helps clean the teeth; gums are also massaged, which to some extent prevents periodontal disease.

4. You can chew gum for no more than 5 minutes and only after eating. These are the recommendations of experts. If you chew gum longer, this will lead to the release of gastric juice into the empty stomach, which contributes to the development of stomach ulcers and gastritis.

5. Chewing gum is not a substitute for brushing your teeth. Dentists are confident that chewing gum cannot replace proper teeth cleaning. And even if you don’t have a toothbrush at hand, replace it better water rinsing your mouth.

6. Chewing gum does not protect against tooth decay. Caries does not appear on the chewing surfaces, but on the interdental surfaces, so there is no benefit from chewing gum for the prevention of this disease.

7. Chewing gum is harmful to teeth. It destroys fillings, crowns and bridges. Destruction brings like mechanical impact on teeth, and chemicals - saliva, which is formed during the chewing process, contributes to the formation of alkali, which corrodes fillings.

8. Chewing gum helps you recover faster after colon surgery. This occurs due to the activation of hormones digestive system while chewing. Thus, in the UK, when treating patients after intestinal surgery, it is recommended to chew gum for 30 minutes in the morning, lunch and evening. This helps patients return to consumption faster regular food and reduces postoperative period. This effect of chewing gum is explained by the fact that when chewing, the secretory and motor activity of the intestine is reflexively stimulated.

9. Chewing gum is soothing. And also is good remedy during stress, improves concentration. “This was proven by English scientists from Northumbria University. Chewing gum plays the role of a “simulator”, allowing many to relive the most blissful moments of their lives, when they were still eating mother's milk. People switch off from anxiety,” explains psychoanalyst Alexander Genschel.

10. Chewing gum does not help get rid of bad breath. It has such a short-term effect that it can generally be called useless.

11. Chewing gum contains a dangerous substance. Aspartame is a sweetener, the substance was invented in 1965 and still arouses suspicion among doctors. The fact is that when aspartame breaks down in the body, two amino acids are formed - asparagine and phenylalanine, as well as very dangerous alcohol- methanol. In certain concentrations, methanol is dangerous for pregnant women and affects normal development fetus In addition, methanol turns into carcinogenic formaldehyde.

12. Chewing gum should not be given to children and pregnant women. American neurologist John Olney proved the dangers of glutamate - it is an amino acid and a food additive that enhances taste. He discovered the phenomenon of excitotoxicity: death nerve cells due to their overexcitation caused by glutamate and aspartame. According to the scientist, these substances pose a great danger to developing brain, which means during pregnancy and then until adolescence. The periods when you should definitely give up chewing gum are the last 3 months of pregnancy and the first 4 years of life.

13. There was always chewing gum! Archaeologists found in Northern Europe pieces of prehistoric resin with imprints of human teeth, which date back to the 7th-2nd millennium BC. The ancient Greeks chewed the resin of the mastic tree, the Indians chewed the resin of conifers, and the Mayan tribes chewed chicle.

What can replace chewing gum?

Resin

The ancient Greeks chewed the resin of the mastic tree to freshen breath and cleanse the mouth. The Mayans used the frozen juice of the Hevea tree for the same purpose - rubber, and the North American Indians chewed the resin of coniferous trees, which was evaporated over a fire. In Siberia, larch resin is still often chewed; at first it crumbles, but then, after chewing for a long time, it gathers into a single piece. It not only cleans your teeth, but also strengthens your gums. They also often chew the resin of cherries, pine trees, spruce trees... But for this you need very good and strong teeth. In Soviet childhood, we chewed tar - but this, of course, is the most extreme option.

Zabrus and beeswax

Since ancient times, bee products have been another natural chewing gum. Honeycomb covers - zabrus - are not so convenient to chew, because they crumble in the mouth, but they are very useful, since they also contain bee saliva, and honey, and a little bee venom, which bees use to seal honeycombs. In the zabrus - high concentration vitamins A, B, C, E, almost everything is there necessary for a person microelements and very rare view fats secreted by bee glands.

Coffee beans

You can freshen your breath not with chewing gum, but with... coffee. You need to chew a few grains, this will remove all unpleasant odors, for example, garlic or alcohol. The fact is that coffee beans contain substances that destroy bacteria - the cause unpleasant odors. In addition, coffee in small quantities is beneficial - it invigorates and improves memory.

Mint and parsley leaves

Chewing gum is often chewed to silence the stomach, which requires food. Actually it's quite harmful occupation, since using chewing gum on an empty stomach can lead to gastritis or aggravate existing ones stomach diseases. To suppress the feeling of hunger and, by the way, freshen your breath, you can chew a mint leaf or a sprig of parsley. These herbs are rich essential oils and vitamins, they won’t do any harm, but their appetite will be dulled.

Chewing marmalade

Sweet and useful replacement chewing gum - chewing marmalade. It is easy to prepare it yourself, and if you use molds or cut out figures from it, then this marmalade can distract your child from chewing gum in bright wrappers.

To prepare chewing marmalade you will need fruits (apples, pears), sugar, water, vegetable or olive oil. You need to peel the fruits, turn them into puree, and cook them with sugar and water. When this mixture has cooled and caramelized, grease a wooden board vegetable oil and post it on it fruit puree, cover it with gauze. In summer, this mass can be placed wherever they fall Sun rays. After some time, cut it into slices.

When buying chewing gum, you should think about what is the harm of chewing gum and what is the benefit. Snacks while traveling in the subway or car, on the street or in a cafe. Situations arise when brushing your teeth after eating is not possible.

There is a business meeting or a date ahead and you need a pleasant breath.

Chewing gum composition

Plunging into the past, you understand that since ancient times people have been chewing something: before, this chewing mass was made of resin or a mixture of leaves. Different kinds chewing gum helped to clear away food debris, strengthened gums, developed masticatory muscles.

The first chewing gum in production was made from the resin of coniferous trees. The product did not gain wide popularity - it had an unattractive appearance, and there were pine needles in the elastic band. The composition changed, new technologies were created, new substances were added. To create an attractive look and taste, each manufacturer was looking for the perfect recipe.

The basis of modern chewing gum is rubber or latex. To make chewing gum attractive appearance and an alluring aroma use sugar or its substitutes, natural and artificial origin, various dyes and flavor enhancers. At long-term use, chemical additives, artificially derived, negatively affect the body, causing complications or causing problems various organs life.

Compound:

1. Sugar. A substance that can provoke the development of caries. Bacteria in oral cavity, digesting sugar, they form. The strength of tooth enamel decreases under the influence of acid.
2. Xylitol, sorbitol. Natural sweeteners used in the manufacture of products for patients diabetes mellitus. It's safe nutritional supplements, but constantly consuming them leads to bloating and gastrointestinal disorders.
3. Aspartame. A synthetic sugar substitute with a sweet taste, it is a source of phenylalanine. This substance, when entering the body, leads to disruption hormonal balance. Aspartame has the ability to accumulate in the body.
4. Titanium dioxide. Dye used to make chewing gum snow-white color. There is no information on how dangerous it is, but experiments prove that titanium dioxide can trigger the development of cancer.
5. Glycerol. It is considered a relatively safe substance, however, due to its ability to draw water from the body.

This is far from full composition modern chewing gum. Manufacturers add various food additives to the composition of their products, based on the goal that needs to be achieved: attractive appearance, unique taste, stretchability for inflating bubbles.

Why is chewing gum harmful?

TV screens claim that chewing gum is good for teeth and gives fresh breath; chewing it is recommended between meals. How harmful is it to chew it all the time?

Consequences long-term use:

• Promotes tooth decay. If you chew gum often and for a long time, pressure occurs on fillings and crowns. The gum sticks to the surface of the teeth, destroying them. Constant chewing provokes the development of dysfunction temporomandibular joint, in children there is a malocclusion.
• Harmful to the stomach. During the process of chewing gum, active selection saliva, and the body receives a signal to produce additional gastric juice. If you chew it on an empty stomach, this process can provoke the development of ulcers and gastritis of the stomach.
• Harmful to pregnant women. Food additives included in gum provoke overexcitation and death of nerve cells and pose a great danger to the development of the fetus.
• Reduces concentration. The rubber band affects the performance of unconscious actions, deteriorating short-term memory.
• Not recommended for breastfeeding. Contained in chewing gum chemical substances, getting into mother's milk, negatively affect the newborn baby.

Chewing gum does not contain substances that directly affect harmful effects on the body. Harm to health can be caused by uncontrolled and excessive chewing.

The benefits of chewing gum

If the harm of chewing gum is so great, why do adults and children buy it? Chewing gum, when used in moderation, is truly beneficial. It is worth adhering to simple rules.

1. Chewing gum can really cleanse your mouth of food. When it is not possible to use toothbrush Chewing gum will help. For getting positive effect It is enough to chew it for five minutes.
2. When chewing gum, gums are massaged and periodontal disease is prevented.
3. Use it after meals. The chewing process promotes the production of saliva and stimulates the digestion process.
4. Although not for long and not as effective as the advertisement says, mint pads add freshness to your breath and make it pleasant.
5. Regular chewing is soothing nervous system, helps with stress.
6. Chewing gum is not a treat; to maintain oral hygiene, you must take precautions and use it only when necessary.

Chewing gum addiction

People who often experience stress are advised to chew something. If you eat high-calorie foods, this can lead to weight gain. excess weight. The calorie content of chewing gum is scanty; the high-calorie component sugar is replaced with lower-calorie sweeteners. Chemical additives contain virtually no calories.

Constant chewing brings confidence and calms the nerves. It has an elastic consistency and the property of not dissolving over time. This promotes regular and prolonged chewing and can lead to gum addiction. Children, not realizing the harm of chewing gum, chew it all day, and with constant chewing, their attention is dulled and the thinking process slows down. The child cannot concentrate, and academic performance deteriorates.

What happens if you swallow gum

It happens that an adult, lost in thought, can swallow chewing gum. How dangerous is this and what could happen? There is an opinion that swallowed chewing gum attaches to the walls of the stomach for a long time, and when released, it creates a blockage in the intestines. This is a myth, a piece of plastic will simply dissolve gastric juice in a few days.

Video: what chewing gum consists of (harm)

Chewing gum has been a product for many years daily consumption modern man. Scientists argue about its properties: some prove that chewing gum is harmful, others prove its benefits.

Chewing gum is harmful to the body

Hardly in modern world There is a person who has never chewed gum. The tradition of chewing something came to us from ancient times. To develop chewing muscles and calm the nerves, people chewed resin and some plants. And in the 19th century, it became fashionable to chew natural rubber with additives to improve taste.

Historical facts about chewing gum

How to Chew Gum

The first historical information about chewing gum dates back 5,000 thousand years ago. Population Ancient Greece and the Middle East cleaned the oral cavity using rubber, resin and various plants. In 1848, a product appeared that vaguely resembled modern chewing gum. John Curtis was the author and creator of this creation. Cut beeswax, to which resin was added, was wrapped in packaging and sold. Later, Curtis tried to improve his creation and added paraffin and various spices to it. But another problem remained unresolved: the heat and the rays of the sun spoiled the appearance of the product.

It was only in 1884 that Thomas Adams created everyone’s favorite product in the form in which we are accustomed to seeing it. This chewing gum was called "Tutti Frutti". Today you can also see chewing gum from this company on store shelves. In 1892, William Wrigley gave the world the popular Wrigley's Spearmint chewing gum, which became much more advanced than before. It contained various additives and flavorings to give it an attractive color and shape. Thanks to his invention, Wrigley acquired profitable business, multi-million dollar fortune and world fame.

Chemical composition of chewing gum

Since the beginning of the 20th century there has been general formula composition of chewing gum. It includes:

• sugar or other sweetener in a proportion of 60%;
• rubber – 20%;
• flavorings – 1%;
• corn syrup – 19%.

Modern chewing gum has new components:

• the basis;
• glycerol;
• coconut oil;
• starch;
• malic or citric acid;
• coloring matter;
• aspartame;
• natural and artificial flavoring agents.

Why can't you chew gum for a long time or use little sweeteners?

It contains sweeteners, oddly enough, permitted by health authorities.

Xylitol or sorbitol E420 are sugar substitutes that have laxative properties and disrupt the gastrointestinal tract.

Maltitol E 965 – malt sugar, bloating and flatulence.

Acesulfame potassium E 950 is not absorbed by the human body. Accumulates and causes various diseases. Together with aspartame, it dehydrates the body and increases appetite, which can contribute to obesity. Exceeds the sweetness of beet sugar by 200 times.

Mannitol E 421 – may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation. Has a detrimental effect on the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. It is highly undesirable for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and those suffering from diabetes to chew such gum.

Aspartame E 951 is a synthetically produced product that can cause headaches, depressive state, increased anxiety, aggression, asthmatic attacks, blindness, memory impairment. Not recommended when carrying and feeding a child.

Side effects of chewing gum

The question of why pregnant women should not chew gum disappears by itself. It’s scary to think what will happen if such components of the product turn out to be expired. Women who chew a product containing the above substances while breastfeeding should think twice. It is strange that before donating blood, doctors do not warn that a person who chews such a set of components even a few days before the tests cannot be sure of the reliability of the data obtained.

Is chewing gum beneficial or harmful?

There is a lot of conflicting information about the benefits and harms of chewing gum. Despite this, its popularity is very high among the population. Without thinking about the harm, humanity consumes this product in huge quantities. Who among us hasn't been given change by the Orbit seller? But people would not buy something every day that does not bring any benefit at all.

The benefits of chewing gum

Chewing gum has some beneficial properties. That is why it can be found in almost every person’s pocket. Its benefits are as follows:

1. Fresh breath. A person cannot brush his teeth every time after eating. The benefit of chewing gum in this case is to refresh and somewhat cleanse the mouth of food debris. But 10 minutes is enough for hygiene. There is no point in chewing it longer.
2. Strengthening gums. Indeed, chewing gum is permitted and recommended for weak gums. This process also strengthens the masticatory muscle.
3. Maintenance acid-base balance. The oral cavity has its own environment on which chewing gum has a positive effect.
4. Calming effect on the nervous system.

Psychologists' recommendations for people experiencing stress often include advice to chew something. If you eat stress with high-calorie foods, you can gain overweight. The process of chewing gum is safe in this regard, since chewing gum contains a minimum of calories. Many women, while on a diet, use chewing gum as a distraction for the body. But it should be remembered that chewing gum on an empty stomach every day can have a dangerous effect on the human body.

Harmful properties of chewing gum

Chewing gum is harmful

Chewing gum does more harm than good. If you tell everyone who chews about possible consequences chewing gum, then perhaps many of them would stop using it. Most people have thought at least once: is it possible to chew gum during pregnancy and is it possible for children to chew gum? To answer this question, you need to understand the possible negative consequences of chewing gum.

1. Saliva production. Increased output saliva can cause increased formation of gastric juice, which, released unnecessarily, irritates the gastric mucosa, causing gastritis.
2. Periodontal disease. If you chew chewing gum every day for a long time, instead of cleansing, you can spread germs in the oral cavity.
3. Deterioration of intelligence reaction. Scientists have discovered that chewing gum causes slower reactions and reduced intelligence reactions.
4. Destruction of seals. Dentists do not advise chewing gum for people who have fillings.
5. The effects of carcinogens on the body.

Do not chew gum before donating blood, because of the abundance various substances in it, test results can give a false impression of the state of the body. These products are produced in huge quantities all over the world and are officially approved for consumption.

It is up to each individual to decide whether to chew this common delicacy. The benefits and harms have been proven by scientists. But it is still better not to chew gum during pregnancy and not to give chewing gum to small children. IN modern life enough harmful effects, so it’s better not to poison yourself from the inside.

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What is chewing gum made from? How is it dangerous to human health?

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Chewing gum is one of the most popular confectionery in the world, used by people everywhere. As practice shows, apply this type products begin with childhood and its main purpose is to clean teeth from food debris.

How does chewing gum affect the body? Why is chewing gum harmful and what is it made of? How much and when can I consume the above products? You will read about this and much more in our article.

Chewing gum composition

Chewing gum as a functional product made from an inedible elastic base has been known since ancient times - it has been used for cleaning teeth since the Neolithic era. Depending on the region, the basis of the chewing gum itself also changed: for example, in Greece they used the resin of the mastic tree, the Indians used congealed hevea juice, in the vastness of Asia they preferred beeswax, and the inhabitants of Rus' replaced the above ingredients with solid larch and pine resin.

When the production of chewing candy was put on a commercial basis, it was first used as a base ingredient. pine resin with the addition of various flavors. Today's "ideal" proprietary gummy candy recipe is natural rubber (20 percent), sugar (60 percent), corn syrup (19 percent) and natural flavor (1 percent).

However, the production of products according to this formula is quite expensive, so on the mass market there are mainly other, cheaper solutions: Synthetic polymers are used as a chewing base with a small addition of natural resins, sweeteners, synthetic flavors, preservatives and other groups of food additives.

How does chewing affect the body?

Chewing is natural physiological process body, designed to grind solid food with teeth before entering it into the esophagus and stomach. If taffy is used as a meal replacement, an identical chewing reflex is triggered, activating a number of glands and facial muscles.

Primary and main influence of chewing gum in context human body is based on increased salivation, which helps moisturize the oral cavity and clean it in a natural way.

An important contribution to this process is also made by the properties of the product itself, which mechanically captures food particles in accessible places in the dentition.

In addition, a parallel massage of the gums is carried out, and the active chewing muscles receive a uniform load, which is associated with the special plastic, physical and mechanical properties of the chewing gum. The saliva released during chewing enters the esophagus through reflex swallowing.

Does the chewing process bring benefits or, on the contrary, cause Negative consequences for the body? This depends on many factors: the characteristics of the individual use of chewing candy (duration, timeliness of use, and so on), the quality of the product itself, the presence of a number of diseases in a person, and so on.

Is chewing gum harmful for adults and children and what can replace it, what will happen if you swallow the product - you will learn about this and much more further in our article.

Chewing gum is harmful due to constant use

Despite the fact that the main purpose of chewing gum is to clean teeth as part of comprehensive hygiene oral cavity and giving freshness to their breath, the vast majority of people use it simply for pleasure - modern products have a pleasant aftertaste, and the chewing process itself distracts and relaxes. Because of this important factor chewing gum is often used excessively, sometimes on permanent basis, which can cause a number of problems with the body.

The most significant negative consequences:

• Development of gastrointestinal problems. Constant supply saliva into the esophagus and stomach provokes the development of gastritis and ulcers;
• Allergic reactions. For a number of people, the food additives E140 and E321 included in modern product, may cause allergies in the long term;

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• Promotion blood pressure and decreased potassium levels. Liquorice and licorice, which are a popular additive to modern chewing gum, provoke an increase in blood pressure and contribute to the accelerated removal of potassium from the blood;
• Development of periodontitis and caries. Chewing gum does not contain substances that would directly contribute to the above dental problems. However, constant massaging of the gums while chewing the product can disrupt blood circulation in the local area, and the emphasis on cleansing properties products (which is clearly indicated by numerous advertisements) forces a person to use a toothbrush less often, which ultimately acts as one of the provoking factors of carious lesions.

How long can you chew gum without harm?

In order for chewing gum to bring benefits and not harm, you must adhere to a number of rules for its use. The most important points:

• Choosing gum. It is better to purchase not colorful products in bright colors with a rich flavor range, but simple solutions from trusted brands whose products are recommended by international dental associations;

• When to use. It is recommended to use chewing gum after meals, not between meals. It is also worth considering that the use of chewing gum does not replace the need for regular brushing of teeth with a brush, floss, and mouth rinse;
• Terms of use. Modern dentists recommend chewing gum for no more than five minutes and then disposing of it properly.

Can chewing gum be beneficial?

Chewing gum, when used correctly according to the recommendations described above, can be beneficial. The benefits of chewing gum are as follows:

Is it possible to chew gum if you have gastritis?

It is well known that regular use of chewing gum between meals on an empty stomach can cause a number of gastrointestinal problems - this is mainly dyspeptic disorders and gastritis. Formed this pathology as a result of saliva entering the esophagus and stomach, released during chewing.

You might be interested... It would be logical to assume that in the case of already formed gastritis, chewing gum is completely contraindicated, regardless of the circumstances. However, as modern clinical practice, this statement is not 100 percent true.

If all norms of use are followed, chewing gum can alleviate certain negative symptoms diseases, such as regular heartburn. How is this possible? It's all about the composition of the saliva itself - the alkaline consistency of the latter, when swallowed, partially neutralizes the acidic contents of the lower part of the esophagus, which creates an effect similar to the use of antacids.

Should children be allowed to eat taffy?

Modern medicine does not recommend frequent use chewing gum by children, regardless of age. As practice shows, in the vast majority of cases potential benefit production is small compared to big risks in relation to the child’s health - primarily due to the refusal to regularly use a toothbrush and toothpaste, which is replaced with a more tasty, but inedible product.

The lack of constant parental control (for example, being at school) creates the preconditions for the abuse of chewing gum and, as a result, the development of many problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

So-called "children's" chewing gum, often advertised by mass media, in fact, are practically no different from their “adult” counterparts in composition. Moreover, they contain large quantity sweeteners and flavors, as well as synthetic dyes to attract the child's attention.

What to replace chewing gum with?

How to replace chewing gum, which alternatively provides temporary fresh breath, help in cleaning the oral cavity and getting rid of the habit of constantly chewing these products? There are a lot of ways to do this - it all depends on the desires and preferences of the person. Possible options:

What happens if you swallow chewing candy?

There is a popular belief that chewing gum, swallowed accidentally or intentionally, attaches to the walls of the stomach and remains in it for several years, and if it comes out, it causes a partial or complete blockage of the intestines, causing severe dyspeptic disorders.

Fortunately, such theories have no basis in reality. Modern chewing gum consists of synthetic polymers with the addition of Not large quantity natural resins, flavors and other secondary components.

When hitting gastrointestinal tract, chewing gum is completely dissolved by gastric juice in a few days, and the decay products are excreted unchanged through the rectum without any special consequences for the body as a whole and the gastrointestinal tract in particular.

However, this fact does not mean that chewing candy must be swallowed frequently and uncontrollably - too much of it (for example, 5-6 pieces at one sitting), if placed in the esophagus or stomach, can cause negative symptoms, similar to the classical food poisoning. In some cases, gastric lavage and even hospitalization may be required.– however, this situation is extremely rare and is usually associated with the deliberate eating of a large amount of chewing gum, up to a whole block.