Can Chewing A Stick Or Two Of Gum Help You Shed Pounds?

A soft cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed, defines chewing gum. Today's chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners, flavors, colors, and typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Here Lisa Drayer, CNN, reflects on chewing gum and weight loss:

“Should you chew gum if you're trying to lose weight?

Possibly, though you certainly don't have to start a gum habit if you don't already chew gum.

Here's the lowdown: Chewing a stick or two of gum won't magically help you shed pounds. Chewing certainly doesn't burn many calories, and it won't undo the calories you just packed away from, say, a large meal or a Thanksgiving feast. Still, for certain individuals, popping a piece of gum could be a helpful strategy when it comes to shedding pounds, especially if doing so helps you steer clear of midday snacking, nighttime nibbling or caving in on dessert.

Image courtesy of: krakatoa

“I think for some people, it could be a useful tool. … Everyone has things that can possibly help them on their road to weight loss, and little behaviors like gum chewing can make a big difference for some,” said Keri Gans, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of “The Small Change Diet.”

Gum chewing can be useful in two ways, according to Gans. For some, putting something sugary in their mouth after they've eaten can signal that the meal is over. “Some people need something sweet at the end of each meal and will search for dessert. If they pop a piece of chewing gum, maybe it can do the trick,” she said. You'll also save the calories you might have otherwise consumed in an ice cream cone or piece of cake.

Image courtesy of: geek_love13

For others, especially those who crave snacks in between meals and graze a lot during the day, gum chewing could keep your mouth busy while providing few calories in between meals, Gans explained.

One study concluded that chewing gum suppresses appetite, especially the desire for sweets, and reduces snack intake. Specifically, those who chewed gum consumed about 40 fewer calories at the next eating occasion. “Participants reported feeling more satisfied and resisted more decadent foods,” said Angel Planells, a Seattle-based registered dietitian and national media spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Image courtesy of: Ben and Debs Blench

But in another study, chewing gum didn't seem to influence appetite or food intake. And while gum chewing may reduce the frequency of meals, according to yet another study, people may consume more calories from less-nutritious foods when they do eat.

Image courtesy of: 5thLuna

In one more study, chewing gum regularly for eight weeks did not help facilitate weight loss in overweight and obese adults.

Image courtesy of: Pest15

What these findings might suggest is that the effects of chewing gum may differ from person to person and may depend on one's eating personality.”

If you would like to learn other solutions to help control your health … click here?

Photo By privatenobby

WOW! Stop the Throbbing and Aching!

Every day, millions of Americans experience the nagging, shooting, pinching aches and pains that come with everyday life. Until now, the only way to treat these annoying symptoms were with drugs or other medicines that often caused unpleasant side effects! With Eazol, you'll get an FDA-Registered Pain Reliever that's 100% Natural with no side effects.

Click here & register now!