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Chewing gum…..is it okay? That’s the question at hand today.

I always thought chewing gum was okay. Not only was it okay, but that the chewing gum benefits outweighed anything else.

Chewing Gum Benefits

During an experiment – 54 days with no sugar, I gave up gum completely.

But according to the dentist, I should always chew sugar-free gum after meals. 

However, is that right? Or, maybe I should say, is that right for every single mouth?

Here are 5 reasons according to my dentist (and Colgate) for chewing gum from a dental perspective:

1. Combating Bad Breath
2. Preventing Tooth Decay
3. Increasing Saliva Flow
4. Whitening Teeth
5. Stress relief

Now that we have the benefits, let me outline the three main problems with chewing gum for the Gutsy girl:

3 Main Problems with Chewing Gum

1. Gum can contribute to bloating and gas.
2. Traditional gum is plump full of any variation of the following: Sorbitol, Gum Base, Xylitol, Natural and Artificial Flavoring, Mannitol, Glycerin, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1, BHT – to Maintain Freshness.
3. Gum is used as a way to eat less. Yes, I realize that this is a benefit for many; chew gum, eat less food. But it’s not actually a good thing. If you’re hungry, you NEED to eat. Chewing gum is not an appropriate substitution for food.

So, those are the 3 main problems I see with chewing gum.

But now you’re wondering,

What about sugar free gum? Can I have that?

Sugar Free Gum

Well, even sugar free gum contains the problems above.

Let’s take Pür Gum, Coolmint, as an example.

Even this gum hits on all three points, or can hit on all three points, from above.

Even though your favorite gum might be sugar-free, there are several other factors that could be contributing to making you feel horrible. 

Several years ago, immediately post tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy, I developed a mouth “issue.” I have mentioned this here and there.

Anyways, because I practice stringent journaling, I was able to make a connection between gum and mouth issue (as one of the many possibilities).

Food has helped or hurt my mouth, and I am 97% certain that the mouth issue is due to an allergy to some sort of food coloring, additive or preservative.

{Remember ingredients vs. ingredient(s). If you need a reminder on the topic, click HERE for the full info.}

A lot of gum is likely to contain food coloring, additives and/ or preservatives.

So I gave up gum for those 54 days. Consequently, I I saw more improvements in my mouth, and will not go back chewing the traditional gum.

I may go back to natural gum, on occasion.

So now……

Chewing Gum {is it okay?}

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Is it okay to chew gum?

I’m not saying that gum is the perfect food.

Surely it’s never about to show up on a SuperFood list. But sometimes you gotta live a little, other times you’re a little nervous and need to chew on something and most of the time you’ll need it to cover up stinky garlic breath🙂

Or wait, maybe that’s just me!

I’m just trying to lay out the facts and my personal experience for you.

If you want to chew gum, then here is what I’d recommend:

1. Don’t use it as a replacement for food.
2. Choose a more “natural” gum (yes, even the Pür Gum above is far better than most).
3. Have one piece vs. chewing it all day, every day. See if that helps with any gas and bloating.

{More Natural} Chewing Gum Brands

Here are some “natural” chewing gum brands out there that I’ve tried and enjoy:

1. Glee Gum
2. Pür Gum
3. Spry Gum
4. Simply Gum

So what kind of ingredients are in these more “natural” gums? I listed the Pür Gum ingredients above.

Here is more on Glee Gum, which I enjoy, too.

Glee Gum

Glee Gum. Have you ever had it?

Here are the Glee Gum (Tangerine flavor) ingredients:

APPLE (FOR COLOR), CITRIC ACID, TANGERINE NATURAL FLAVOR, CANE SUGAR, GUM BASE (CHICLE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CANDELILLA WAX, DEHYDRATED CITRUS PEELS), BROWN RICE SYRUP, NATURAL FLAVORS, GUM ARABIC, CARNAUBA WAX

Anyways, at the end of the day, it’s your call.

What are your thoughts on gum?

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Natural Flavors
2. How to Clean Your Stomach and Intestines Naturally
3. Am I Sick?

Xox,
SKH