They found levels of depression, anxiety and stress were significantly lower in both chewing gum groups, while academic success scores were higher in 19-day gum chewers only compared to the other groups.
Chewing gum is also shown to reduce cortisol levels and that explains why anxiety is better managed by people who constantly chew gum. In addition, for people with depression too, this simple, easily available gum may be the best method of treatment.
When you chew gum, it increases blood flow to your brain. This has a lot of positive effects including improving your memory. In his research, professor Andrew Sholey discovered your short-term memory could be improved 35 percent by chewing a stick of gum.
In fact, some studies show chewing gum can actually increase feelings of relaxation, increase attention, lower stress levels, and improve memory.
The neural mechanisms underlying the stress reducing effects of chewing gum involve the prefrontal cortex which then changes the HPA axis and ANS activity [25, 26]. The majority of research on mental health and chewing gum has been carried out with non-clinical samples.
They found levels of depression, anxiety and stress were significantly lower in both chewing gum groups, while academic success scores were higher in 19-day gum chewers only compared to the other groups.
Boosts brain function
Numerous studies have found that one of the main benefits of chewing gum can help you to concentrate more, as well as improving various aspects of brain function, including alertness, memory, understanding and decision-making.
Though some research has concluded that chewing gum improves memory, concentration, sustained attention, and reduces stress, other research has found no such benefits. A recent systematic review of 21 studies found not a strong, but a statistically significant relation between chewing and sustained attention.
More recent studies have shown that chewing gum reduces muscular tension and anxiety, especially in people who are trying to stop smoking or lose weight. There is little doubt that chewing gum can be a powerful stress buster.
Summary: Chewing gum can help you stay focused for longer on tasks that require continuous monitoring. Previous research has shown that chewing gum can improve concentration in visual memory tasks.
Chewing gum has become a common habit for a number of reasons, including stress reduction, to help quit smoking, reducing food cravings, and just plain enjoyment. Unfortunately, this seemingly harmless habit can have a number of negative side effects on your health and can even damage your health.
Item One: Sugarfree gum
“If you're having a moment of anxiety and you have no idea what triggered it, your first step should be to grab a piece of gum,” says Tagert. We suggest one that's sugar-free and has a long-lasting flavor — for both extended enjoyment and the added perk of fresh breath — like EXTRA® Gum.
Constant gum chewing puts excessive force on your temporomandibular joints, muscles and teeth, which leads to overstress, imbalance and misalignment. This can cause: Clicking or popping in one or both temporomandibular joints. Headaches.
For some people, a negative, stressful, or unhappy family life can lead to depression. Other high-stress living situations — like poverty, homelessness, or violence — can lead to it, too. Dealing with bullying, harassment, or peer pressure also leaves some people feeling alone or anxious.
Fifteen minutes is the maximum time you should chew your gum. Any time over that could result in jaw muscle exhaustion. Continued excessive gum chewing may even create problems with your jawbone health, known as .
Chewing activates several brain regions that are essential for cognitive processing, including the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Interestingly enough, chewing gum while studying could also improve your focus by purely keeping your fidgeting brain active. This helps you focus on one thing only, instead of jumping from one thought to the other.
Chewing gum can increase test performance, alertness, and overall brain power. There have even been tests done that say students' brain power increased when chewing gum. It can be especially helpful for students who have trouble staying focused during long classes.
Chewing gum also has been associated with reduced anxiety [9], and a recent report proved that long-term chewing gum was effective in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and improving test scores in school nursing students [10].
Gum guidelines
Chewing sugarless gum is also beneficial for teeth: It increases the flow of saliva, thereby washing away acids produced by bacteria in plaque, which decreases risk for tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association. 2. Limit gum to five or six pieces per day.
The answer to this question depends on the ingredients used in the manufacturing of gum. If the ingredients used are all halal, then it is permissible to eat gum. If any of the ingredients used are not halal, such as animal or pork fat, or gelatine, then it would be considered haram.
Research corroborates that constantly chewing gum, at all hours of the day can create problems like jaw pain, headaches, diarrhea, and tooth decay. There is no ideal time frame for chewing gum. But, you should avoid regularity, and it should not become a habit.