This is because sugar is digested by the bad bacteria in your mouth, causing an increase in the amount of plaque on your teeth and tooth decay over time ( 44).

chewing gum has been shown to increase the release rate of mercury vapor from dental amalgam fillings… The impact of excessive chewing on mercury levels was considerable.” It’s quite a mystery what “gum base” is actually made out of, but the investigators found it’s usually a blend of elastomers, resins, plasticizers, and fillers. Most manufacturers do not reveal more specifics than this. After all, why would they want you to know that you’re potentially chewing on petroleum-derived paraffin wax, polyvinyl acetate (carpenter’s glue) and talc, all of which are linked to cancer. 4. Titanium Dioxide For stress relief: Try these eight stress-relief tips instead, along with the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which is based on the concept that a vital energy flows through your body along invisible pathways known as meridians. EFT stimulates different energy meridian points in your body by tapping them with your fingertips, while simultaneously using custom-made verbal affirmations.

The benefits of chewing gum on memory have been shown to last only while you’re chewing the gum. However, habitual gum chewers may benefit from feeling more alert and less stressed throughout the day ( 17, 29). Summary Some research also suggests that chewing gum could reduce your appetite, which could prevent you from overeating ( 30, 31). Orbit was originally released in 1899. It was launched in 1944 in the United States as a replacement brand by Wrigley due to rationing of gum-making ingredients in World War II. The brand was discontinued after the war ended, when Wrigley's three established gum brands, Juicy Fruit, Wrigley's Spearmint and Doublemint, returned to the US market. Chewing gum often contains lanolin, a waxy substance that’s derived from sheep wool, to help it stay soft. While not necessarily dangerous to your health, chewing on lanolin is not exactly appetizing. 6. Release Mercury From Your Fillings

In fact, one study found that chewing xylitol-sweetened gum reduced the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth by up to 75% ( 41).To freshen your breath: Carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with you so you can brush your teeth even when you’re on the go. A natural breath spray also works well for this purpose. However, the possible connection between aspartame and obesity needs to be further studied ( 13, 14). At the moment, the amount and type of titanium dioxide people are exposed to in food is generally considered safe. Nevertheless, more research is needed to determine the safe consumption limit ( 9, 10, 11). Aspartame BHT is an antioxidant that’s added to many processed foods as a preservative. It stops food from going bad by preventing fats from becoming rancid.