A piece of gum can save you from offending a co-worker with your post-lunch breath, or give you that little refresher your mouth needs. But did you also know chewing gum has loads of health benefits? Here are some of the perks:
Keep your teeth healthy
As long as it’s sugarless, chewing it for 20 minutes after you eat can help protect your teeth by removing food debris and increasing your saliva flow. Your saliva strengthens your tooth enamel because it carries phosphate and calcium.
Improve memory
When you chew, it increases blood flow to your brain. This has a lot of positive effects including improving your memory.
Fight drowsiness
If you struggle to stay alert at work, chewing gum could be the simple solution you’re looking for. One study revealed chewing gum can fight sleepiness. Anything mint flavored is the most effective gum to battle midday yawns.
Reduce heartburn
Following up a meal can lower the acid levels in your esophagus. This may help reduce acid reflux and heartburn.
Lessen depression
Chewing it twice daily for two weeks reduced anxiety, depression, fatigue, and other mental illnesses in patients during a 2011 study.
Eliminate nausea
Sugarless mint or ginger flavour of all kinds can soothe an upset stomach, whether it’s morning sickness or motion sickness. Mint and ginger are natural remedies for nausea. If you’re looking for little ways to improve your health, try chewing a stick of gum rather than reaching for a dessert. You’ll thank yourself later.
