Is Chewing Gum Bad For You?
Short answer
Sugar-free chewing gum is a mixed bag; it can improve the health of your teeth and promote weight loss on one hand, and it can cause heartburn, give you gas, or trigger jaw problems on the other. Chewing gums with sugar do no favors for your teeth and are probably bad for you.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Chewing gum promotes the production of saliva. If the gum is sugar-free, that saliva is good for your tooth health. It contains enzymes that help to fight bacteria and wash away the acid that can break down the lining on your teeth. It also strengthens that lining with calcium and other important minerals.
If chewing gum contains sugar, however, it can cause all sorts of problems. Sugar causes cavities and will counteract any benefit you get from the increased production of saliva. In the long-term, too much sugar can cause a wide range of health problems, including obesity and diabetes. Choose sugar-free gums if you can.
When picking that sugar free gum, however, be sure to read the label. Some chewing gum manufacturers will replace sugar with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Aspartame, especially when consumed frequently, has been linked to birth defects, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and different cancers.
Gum also makes your body think that you're eating - it satiates you. Studies show that chewing gum can help people to suppress their appetite and consume fewer calories, which is one way to lose weight.
This satiation has a flip side, however. It triggers the digestive process, so your stomach will start to produce acid. In some people, that can cause heartburn. Chewing gum might also lead you to swallow air, which can cause flatulence or irritate the bowel.
Chewing too much gum can bring on temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. The muscles in the jaw and neck contract, which can lead to ear pain, tooth pain, and headaches. Chew gum in moderation and this shouldn't be a problem. If you have pre-existing jaw problems, however, chewing gum might activate TMJ.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- obesity
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diabetes
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cavities
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tmj
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aspartame-linked disorders
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- stronger teeth
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weight loss and appetite suppression
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Written by Sean McNulty
Published on: 09-19-2016
Last updated: 11-28-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Sean McNulty
Published on: 09-19-2016
Last updated: 11-28-2023
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