The act of chewing gum dates back to ancient times. According to Merriam Webster, chewing gum is defined as “a type of soft candy that you chew but do not swallow.” The Mayans and Aztecs consumed the sap of the sapodilla tree to fight hunger and quench thirst. Native Americans passed on their habit of chewing spruce sap to European settlers. Chewing gum in its various forms has been used in a variety of ways, from being a habit to aiding medical treatments. Although chewing gum causes bloating, it has a positive impact on overall health. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The act of chewing gum reduces the levels of harmful bacteria and acid in the mouth that cause tooth decay. Research by the American Dental Association suggests that "saliva buffers the effects of acids found in foods or drinks that might otherwise soften the surface of tooth enamel, and ingestion of excess saliva creates by stimulation eliminates the acid. » Enamel is defined as the outer layer of each tooth and is the most visible part of the tooth. Saliva production is improved, which helps rid the mouth of food debris and sugars. Without sufficient saliva flow, individuals are at risk of suffering from numerous oral health problems. Although most chewing gum is a sticky, sugary dental disaster, sugar-free gum containing the natural sweetener xylitol can improve dental health. Western Dental Chief Dental Director, Dr. Louis Amendola, said: “The bacteria that contributes to tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans, feeds on sucrose, the sugar we eat. As they multiply, bacteria release acids that cause tooth decay, but bacteria cannot digest xylitol and therefore cannot multiply or release the acids that cause decay. Xylitol also increases saliva and its pH, which helps remineralize tooth enamel and fight plaque buildup. Harmful bacteria and acids in the mouth decrease with the use of chewing gum. Although chewing gum may be considered a social distraction, it can help improve cognitive performance and productivity at work. According to a 2015 study, "chewing gum was associated with increased productivity and reduced cognitive errors at work, as well as increased cortisol in the morning." The study recruited one hundred and twenty-six full-time staff from Cardiff University. On the morning of the test day, participants completed mood and attention tasks. They were required to chew ten pieces of gum and were encouraged to chew when they felt stressed. After work, they returned to the laboratory and performed the same tasks from the morning. As a result, chewing gum was significantly associated with reporting fewer cognitive problems and lower levels of being late for work. This research further supports the effects of chewing gum, which are associated with improved alertness with and without cognitive performance. An article in the Journal of Adolescence reported on a study examining the effects of chewing gum on standardized math scores in adolescents. Participants included one hundred and eight eighth grade mathematics students. They were randomly assigned to a group that received gum during testing or a control condition without gum. In order to evaluate the resultsschool, the mathematics sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III) were used. “Students who chewed gum improved their standardized test scores and maintained higher grades in math classes compared to those who did not chew gum.” The results suggest that chewing gum is a cost-effective and easy-to-implement method to increase student performance. Halitosis, also called bad breath, is targeted by the use of chewing gum. Research from the University of Barcelona aimed to estimate the prevalence of halitosis in the young population and show the effect of chewing gum in their breath. NewsRx journalists suggest: “Using chewing gum as a supplement in cases of halitosis decreases VSC, thereby improving the perception of others and the patient. » VSC, volatile sulfur compounds, are the cause of halitosis. The mechanical act of chewing helps extract debris stuck in the teeth. Gum containing the natural sweetener xylitol can prevent the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath. The gum itself can bring more saliva to the mouth, which will naturally make the mouth feel fresher. Chewing gum is a simple method to reduce bad breath that causes people to feel insecure, especially young people. Chewing gum helps patients feel better after abdominal surgery by reducing nausea and restoring normal bowel function. After a person has abdominal surgery, the digestive system may stop working completely for a few days. This is called paralytic ileus, a common complication of abdominal surgery. Research suggests that "patients who chew gum after surgery experience a more rapid return of curvature function and flatulence much sooner than those who do not chew gum." Chewing gum tricks the stomach into thinking food is being eaten, increasing bowel movements and reducing the period of paralysis. Additionally, paralytic ileus delays bowel improvement and increases hospital days. An interventional study looked at forty volunteer patients undergoing cholecystectomy surgery, a surgical removal of the gallbladder, and randomly separated them into intervention and control groups. “Patients in the intervention group chewed sugar-free gum (Orbit brand produced by Wrigley Company) 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time after being fully conscious until oral intake began.” The results of this study showed that chewing sugar-free gum after cholecystectomy led to improved bowel function of patients and a reduction in the length of hospital stay. A common argument for people not to chew gum is that it causes extra air to be swallowed, leading to abdominal bloating. While this may be true, it's important to remember that the abdominal health benefits of chewing gum outweigh this argument. Chewing gum results in a reduction in paralytic ileus and can be used as an inexpensive and useful method of intestinal stimulation. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay The Benefits of Chewing Gum extends far beyond the mouth. It helps in the recovery of the body and improves brain functions. In today's society, people lack confidence