WHY CHEWING GUM IS BAD FOR HEALTH ?

Chewing gum has been a favorite past time since the ancient times. Most people chew gum out of a habit or to freshen breath, prevent tooth decay and even to stop food craving. But is chewing gum really provide any of these benefits? Here are some of the most common chewing gum side effects.

1. CHEWING GUM CAN CHANGE YOUR HEALTHIER EATING HABITS

Chewing gum before a meal is often recommended as a way to reduce hunger and calorie intake. But a study published in the journal Eating Behaviors found that chewing mint gum prior to eating reduced intake of healthy food (fruit) while increased the likelihood of eating junk food such as potato chips and candy. This is because the minty flavor of the gum gave fruits and vegetables a bitter flavor.

2. IT MAY TRIGGER TMJ (TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER) IN YOUR JAW

Chewing gum can cause TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder in your jaw, which includes jaw pain associated with the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Excessive gum chewing causes repetitive overuse of chewing muscles, this lead to contracted muscles and related pain, including jaw pain, toothaches, headaches and earaches.


3. STOMACH UPSETS

Chewing gum brings in an excess of swallowed air into your digestive system. The digestive gases mix with the swallowed air, causing increased pressure on the stomach and small intestines. This eventually results into cramping, bloating and upsetting your stomach.

4. TOOTH DECAY

Excessive chewing of sugared gum can cause tooth decay, gum disease and cavities. This happens because sugar coats the teeth, and can slowly cause damaging of tooth enamel if they are not immediately brushed. Even if you chew sugar-free gum, there are still risks to your teeth because of the flavouring and preservatives in sugar‑free gum could be acidic themselves and cause tooth erosion and decay.

5. CHEWING GUM DOESN’T GET RID OF BAD BREATH

Bad breath is symptom of digestive problems or excessive tooth decay. Chewing gum only masks the bad breath for a minute or two but doesn’t get rid of it.


6. EXCESSIVE GUM CHEWING COULD HIT YOUR METABOLISM

Excessive gum chewing stimulates the production of saliva for a unnaturally long time, this could prevent and affect other metabolic functions too.

7. ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

Almost all popular gum brands use artificial colors and sweeteners to make their products longer lasting, sweeter or to achieve special kind of taste. Artificial flavors have been linked to many problems including chest pain, fatigue, allergies, nausea and much more.