We’ve all heard someone say it. Chewing gum will make you lose weight. I have my doubts.
And comedian Kevin James does too. Saying, “Everybody thinks they got the secret. ‘You know what you got to do. You got to chew sugar-less gum. That’s your problem right there.’ Yeah, because my ass got fat from Bazooka!”
But new research begs to differ, claiming that chewing gum actually works.Presented at this year’s Experimental Biology conference, scientists discovered study participants, 115 regular gum-chewers, men and women ages 18 to 54, chewing sugarless gum for 15 minutes each hour between lunch and snack time ate 40 fewer calories and less snacks between meals.
All that gum chewing would wear me out, but apparently not the test subjects. They also reported having more energy and feeling less drowsy throughout the day.
The researchers insist these findings demonstrate the “potential role” chewing gum can play in controlling appetite, reducing cravings and managing weight, but it’s important to point out, the Wrigley Science Institute sponsored the study.
I can’t chew gum, it gives me a headache. And reports suggest the aspartame, i.e. fake laboratory sugar, can make you sick; namely heart palpitations, skin rash, tingling sensations and cramps. Wow, all that for only 50 cents a pack!
Via HealthDay News.
if chewing gum doent make you less hungry then why on that dieting comercialdoes it say gum helps you take your mind off eatin? i dont really understand it all. im just doin an esy for school. =)
i agree with Kevin James!!!
I’m actually going to give the gum-chewing idea a try. I have a problem with boredom or mind-wandering. I eat or snack. So instead of the snack.. hopefully the gum will work.
Thanks
gum chewing may help curb hunger but it can be harmful to dental restorations and increase tmj symptoms. it also increases gas and digestive problems. also it can be very rude when the chewer appears to be gnawing on a ball of cud.
“40 fewer calories” … woo hoo… good grief… ok, and less snacks…. but still, there are better ways… and I concur re the fake sugar…
I have found chewing gum makes me hungrier.
I also think fake sugar is harmful so that eliminates most sugarless gum, not to mention jaw pain.
I have found trying to keep my blood sugar stable ( I stick to whole grains ) is far more effective against the munchies than chewing gum.
I personally like to chew gum when I’m at work because it keeps my mouth busy and it helps me concentrate. I don’t know if it helps reduce my appetite or not, but since we’re not allowed to eat or drink in the lab, I NEED something to keep my mouth busy.
I saw a study recently that claimed students who chew gum had better grades. I still don’t chew it, but then I’m not in school anymore
I’ve read that chewing gum appears to increase the release of serotonin in the brain, which would give a calming influence.
I like gum because it keeps me from both eating and smoking!
I agree Trent, I have the same issue. Gum makes me more hungry for the same reason you listed, my body is waiting on the whatever I am chewing on to hit the stomach, and nothing gets there. Then I really have hunger pains..
I too find that chewing gum helps. I tend to chew about a pack a day (10 pieces), and that keeps me off snacking and practically lets me comfortably not think about food.
I’m a muncher and also have to chew on something, it’s best when it’s gum and not cooking or chocolate bars of which I can’t have just one piece, once I start to eat, I tend to “accidentally” overeat. Chewing gum prevents that.
I find that chewing gum helps keep me from eating when I’m feeling munchy. It helps…but I watch which gums I eat (mainly Trident because it’s so low-calorie) and how much I eat.
I find that chewing gum makes me more hungry. I think my body is disappointed that my mouth is chewing but my stomach isn’t getting any food.
Another study sponsored by the product they are touting! There is no magic bullet! Hey, if it works for you then go for it but I have a number of posts on my blog about the serious stomach bloating from chewing sugarless gum due to the sugar substitutes they use in it along with sugar free candy & many other low calories foods. I have first hand experience with this & no amount of gum chewing, even if this worked, would get me back there to that bloating & how bad I felt. The moment I went cold turkey with the sugar free gum, my stomach was 100% better!
Kevin James is the man!
Seriously, this whole study seems a little sketchy to me. More energy from chewing gum? Give me a break!
But isn’t that how most research is conducted these days, by private interest groups?
Chewing gum won’t change your life, and appetite control is one of the least successful dieting methods – one that is responsible for the weight regain/relapse phenomenon that occurs in 95 of all dieters.
I’ll skip the gum myself – please pass me some real food!
All the best,
John Sifferman
Fitness Professional