For taste and sensory appeal. Flavor components in gum exist in liquid, powder or micro-encapsulated forms. [25] Liquid flavor incorporations are either water-soluble, oil-soluble, or water-dispersible emulsions. The oil-soluble flavors remain in the gum longer, resulting in longer lasting flavor sensations, because the gum base is hydrophobic and attracted to oil-based components. The ingredients in chewing gum have been established as safe for humans to consume. In fact, the act of chewing may have surprising benefits for mental and physical health! Softeners. These are used to retain moisture and prevent the gum from hardening. They can include waxes like paraffin or vegetable oils. For example, gum chewing triggers the production of saliva, which improves oral health by clearing out lingering bits of food and neutralizing the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth.

Studies have found that chewing gums sweetened with the sugar alcohol xylitol are more effective than other sugar-free gums at preventing tooth decay ( 38). a b Purkayastha, Sanjay; Tilney, H. S.; Darzi, A. W.; Tekkis, P. P. (2008). "Meta-analysis of Randomized Studies Evaluating Chewing Gum to Enhance Postoperative Recovery Following Colectomy". Archives of Surgery. 143 (8): 788–93. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.143.8.788. PMID 18711040. Though nicotine gum is intended for temporary use, Dr. Kahn advises caution, suggesting that you combine or substitute nicotine gum with other smoking cessation strategies like coaching, nicotine patches, non-nicotine medications and so on. Is gum bad for you? The bottom line Kekäläinen, Timo; Venäläinen, Tapani; Jänis, Janne (17 July 2014). "Characterization of Birch Wood Pyrolysis Oils by Ultrahigh-Resolution Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry: Insights into Thermochemical Conversion". Energy & Fuels. 28 (7): 4596–602. doi: 10.1021/ef500849z. ISSN 0887-0624. Leah Zerbe (2 September 2009). "Chewing Gum Speeds Surgery Recovery". Rodale. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014.

And it just might help to make that work day pass faster! Research has shown chewing gum improves alertness and productivity leading to enhanced work performance!”

Azhar, Azeem' (6 September 2021). "The Exponential Age will transform economics forever". Wired . Retrieved 10 September 2021. Bulk Polyol Sweeteners are responsible for initial sweetness, whereas intensive sweeteners are intended for prolonging the sweetness effect. Intensive Sweeteners are often encapsulated to delay the release of flavor. However, the overall results are mixed. Some studies have reported that chewing gum does not affect appetite or energy intake over the course of a day ( 34, 35).Although this condition is rare, some studies have found a link between excessive chewing and TMD ( 46, 47). Chewing gum has been linked to headaches One randomized controlled trial found that students who chewed gum over a period of 7 or 19 days had reduced scores for depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those who did not. Those who chewed gum also achieved greater academic success ( 21).

sugar, dextrose, glucose or corn syrup, erythritol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol Additionally, all sugar alcohols are FODMAPs, which can cause digestive problems for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sugar-sweetened gum is bad for your dental and metabolic health Though gum can be good for a person's brain, it turns out that, if you chew gum every day, it might not be so good for their head. However, people who have a rare hereditary condition known as phenylketonuria should limit their consumption of phenylalanine, which is a component of aspartame ( 15). SummaryChewing Gum Associated With Enhanced Bowel Recovery After Colon Surgery". ScienceDaily (Press release). 19 August 2008.

Barbera, Nunziata; Arcifa, Veronica; Valenti, Vincenzo; Spadaro, Giorgio; Tomasello, Sergio; Romano, Guido (2012). "Fatal asphyxia by complete laryngeal obstruction due to chewing-gum aspiration in an adult woman". Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine. 20: 33–36. doi: 10.4323/rjlm.2012.33. Do you suffer from 'excess gas', bloating, or burping? Well you just might want to rethink chewing on that next piece of gum. a b Matson, John. "Fact or Fiction?: Chewing Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest: Scientific American". Sciam.com . Retrieved 25 January 2012.Are there any known health risks from chewing gum (aside from the risk of accidentally swallowing it)? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk". www.theguardian.com . Retrieved 11 March 2022. Chemical & Engineering News: Science & Technology – What's That Stuff? Chewing Gum". pubs.acs.org . Retrieved 9 December 2016. While it’s not about to stay in your gut forever, you might want to consider the quantity of gum you're swallowing.