Chewing gum can be good for you. Not only can it freshen your breath, it can help you overcome cigarette cravings, improve your memory and even help you lose weight.
Studies have shown that chewing gum can help control cravings, manage hunger, and promote weight loss.But don’t think that chewing a few sticks of gum a day is going to melt off the pounds. A few small studies have shown that chewing gum can help you shave calories. But this won’t lead to significant weight loss unless you also follow a reduced-calorie diet and get regular physical activity.
Sugar-free gum is best because it is usually less than 5 calories per piece, compared to 10 calories for regular gum.
Research from the University of Rhode Island showed that people who chewed gum consumed 68 fewer calories at lunch and did not compensate by eating more later in the day. Chewing gum also helped the study participants satisfy their cravings and resist fattening treats. And there’s more: Gum chewers actually burned about 5% more calories than non-gum chewers.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of chewing gum comes if you routinely reach for a stick of gum instead of something more caloric like a doughnut or candy bar. Substitute gum for a snack-size bag of chips once a week, and you could lose two pounds in a year.
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