Since the time when Europeans and North Americans first chewed on the resin and bark of trees, mankind have been chewing gum. Sounds scrumptious, no? Although a lot has changed since then, chewing gum is still done in the same way.
With such a lengthy history, there is a good probability that you have chewed gum previously, whether you’ve simply tried it once or twice or often. There are a ton of different types of gum available to suit every taste, from large, robust fruity alternatives to chews with mint flavor.
But when we chew bubble gum, what precisely are we doing? What about the rumor that if we swallow gum, it will remain in our stomach for seven years?
Surely, bubble gum is more complicated than first appears to be? We decided to investigate further to find out more, and it turns out that bubble gum conceals a few mysteries. What you should not know about bubble gum is as follows.
Facts About Bubble Gum you don’t know
Bubble gum can be bad for your teeth
When you choose to chew sugar-containing gum, as most varieties of bubble gum do, you run the risk of developing dental problems in the future. Bad bacteria in your mouth metabolize sugar when you put it there, claims Healthline.
This increases the amount of plaque that sticks to your teeth and encourages it to start developing. Too much plaque on your teeth might eventually hasten tooth decay’s symptoms and make them last longer.
Of course, it all depends on the sort of gum you’re chewing, but it’s wise to pay attention to the sugar content stated on the label just to be cautious.
Bubble gum can cause problems with your jaw
Have you ever chewed gum for a long time before realizing that your jaw or the area behind your ear was actually rather tender?
Although we may only feel the discomfort for a little period of time when chewing bubble gum, individuals who have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, endure it constantly.
TMJ can result in facial discomfort or muscle spasms as well as a popping or clicking sound at the jaw joint.
Bubble gum might be the reason for your headaches
As if the health problems associated with chewing bubble gum couldn’t get any worse, it has also been discovered to be the cause of many people’s headaches.
One research examined the relationship between people aged six to 19 who suffered from chronic tension and migraine headaches and related that information to how frequently they chewed gum. It was published in the Journal of Pediatric Neurology. The majority of the individuals in the research were found to be chewing gum every day, frequently for long periods of time.
Their headaches were less frequent and less intense once they quit chewing gum constantly. The study also discovered that some subjects who gave up chewing gum experienced complete relief from headaches.
Your body can’t digest bubble gum very well
Let’s simply dispel that old wives’ tale about chewing gum first since we’ve all heard it. No, a piece of gum won’t last seven years in your stomach after being swallowed. However, that does not imply that our bodies are entirely capable of digesting it.
According to Dr. Lisa Ganjhu, a gastroenterologist at the Langone Medical Center of New York University, bubble gum truly moves through your digestive system much like any other meal does.
But the really interesting thing about this is that it just ends up blending along the way with the food you are effectively digesting until it all ends up in your stool.
Bubble gum might act as a laxative
There is no doubt that nobody wants to bring up this topic too frequently. A laxative will hasten digestion, especially in the intestines, and ultimately loosen stools to encourage bowel movements. And it turns out that gum may behave as that material accidentally, of course.
Sorbitol is a common ingredient in gum. This sweetener is utilized because it is much sweeter than sugar but has just one-third as many calories. But according to gastroenterologist Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa of the Langone Medical Center of New York University, sorbitol has the ability to act as a laxative and eventually result in diarrhea.
According to various studies cited by Health, eating sorbitol in large quantities from repeated meals or drinking sorbitol-rich foods can cause gas, bloating, cramps, and even diarrhea. Yes, it’s disgusting, but this post is all about bubble gum-related information you might not want to know.
This does not imply that all gums contain sorbitol or will have these effects, but if you chew many sticks of gum every day, it is something to think about.
Some bubble gum contains lanolin
If you’ve ever heard of lanolin, it was likely in relation to a skincare product. Because it is so very moisturizing, lanolin is particularly well-liked for use in skincare products. This softens skin over time, reduces wrinkles, and, for some people, works wonders on dry hair. This is perfect, right?
However, what exactly is lanolin?
The skin of a sheep is where lanolin is derived, claims Healthline. Once a sheep is sheared and the oil is recovered from its wool, it is an oil released by its glands. And although all of that certainly sounds fantastic for non-food goods, lanolin is also a component of bubble gum.
Some bubble gum varieties contain carcinogens
It all depends on the kind of gum you’re chewing and the contents listed, much like with many of the drawbacks associated with chewing gum. However, a lot of gum companies covertly incorporate carcinogens in their ingredient list.
Trident Gum and Dubble Bubble are just two examples of the several brands that include BHT, or butylated hydroxytoluene. Although the use of BHT is intended to preserve the product’s freshness, according to the ingredients list on those packaging, it may be doing more. As it turns out, research has shown that BHT can harm your kidneys or liver by introducing hazardous substances to your organs.
The American Food and Drug Administration has maintained the safety of BHT.
Not all bubble gum is vegan
There are several goods available that folks who wish to live a vegan lifestyle are unable to eat. Veganism forbids the eating of any food items derived from animals, including dairy, meat, and eggs. The distinction between food and confectionery goods that contain animal ingredients or byproducts isn’t always clear-cut.
As we now know, lanolin, a byproduct of sheep, is found in many varieties of bubble gum. In the end, lanolin-containing gum choices cannot be regarded as genuinely vegan.
However, gelatin is a common element in the ingredient lists of many gum makers. The International Chewing Gum Association claims that gelatin is the perfect component for chewing gum since it provides it the proper texture.
Chewing bubble gum can make acid reflux worse
There are several goods available that folks who wish to live a vegan lifestyle are unable to eat. Veganism forbids the eating of any food items derived from animals, including dairy, meat, and eggs. The distinction between food and confectionery goods that contain animal ingredients or byproducts isn’t always clear-cut.
As we now know, lanolin, a byproduct of sheep, is found in many varieties of bubble gum. In the end, lanolin-containing gum choices cannot be regarded as genuinely vegan. However, gelatin is a common element in the ingredient lists of many gum makers. The International Chewing Gum Association claims that gelatin is the perfect component for chewing gum since it provides it the proper texture.
