What Happens When You Chew Too Much Gum? 5 Unexpectedly Bad Side Effects of the Gum Habit
Attention, gum chewers! Your gum habit can have a lot of gross side effects. Do not believe us? Go through this list.
When it comes to chewing gums, you probably think there is no limit. Gums practically have zero calories and they are certainly fun as well as delicious. But while they may seem harmless, it is important to ensure that you do not go overboard and enjoy a few sticks within a reasonable amount. Chewing too much gum can be harmful for you. Before downing a pack or more in a day, here's what you should know about the chewing gum habit.
You Become Super Gassy
Gums contain a lot of artificial sweeteners that do not get absorbed in the small intestine and are hence fermented by the colon. Plus, when you chew gum you swallow a lot of air which causes all the gas and bloating. Looking For Healthy Lifestyle? 6 Unhealthy Habits to Change For a Healthy Future!
Your Dress Size Go Up
All that bloating caused by chewing gum can make you go up a whole dress size. Luckily, bloating usually goes away within a day or two so you do not have to worry about going back to your original size.
You Get Diarrohea
Apart from bloating, all the artificial sweeteners in gum can also give you diarrhoea. More specifically, the sorbitol and mannitol in gums can be responsible for messing with your digestive system. Tired of Bloating and Indigestion? Heal Your Stomach With These Home Remedies.
Your Body Does Not Digest Gum
Since gum does not belong to any specific food group, it can be difficult for your body to digest the gum. It is not uncommon to see a wad of gum in patients who undergo colonoscopy. This proves that gum is not digested.
You Get Cavities
Do we need to even mention that all the sugar in gums can contribute to cavities? When you chew gum, the bacteria sitting in your mouth break down the sugar in the gum and form acid. Once that acid sits on your tooth for a while, it creates a hole or a cavity. Whitening Products Could Cause Tooth Decay and Cavities Say Study: 5 Natural Remedies for White Teeth.
The Takeaway
Chew gum! Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow, and the increased saliva in your mouth helps neutralise and wash off food debris and plaque acids in the mouth. However, do it in moderation if you do not want gas, diarrhoea, cavities, and wads of gum in your colon. A better option would be to go for a dentist and ADA-approved gum. Sugar-free gum can be a great tool to deter you from smoking or overeating.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2019 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).