Chew gum to get slimmer?

Filed in archive Diet and Nutrition on September 11, 2006

The Wrigley corporation has invested some big $$ to fund a couple of research projects which should provide exact information about how gum makes our lives better.

Although scientists are not over yet with their research, Wrigley company already put some interesting claims on their website.

Improves Concentration
At work, chewing gum helps us concentrate on the task at hand. Many truck drivers find that chewing gum helps them stay alert at the wheel.

Eases Tension
As early as 1939, scientific studies showed how chewing reduces muscular tension and helps people feel more at ease. Because it is so well-recognized for helping stay alert at the same time it eases tension, the U.S. armed forces have supplied chewing gum to its soldiers ever since World War I. It is still included in field and combat rations today.

Freshens Breath
Chewing gum, especially a mint-flavored gum like Wrigley's Spearmint or Doublemint, moistens and refreshes the mouth and throat and sweetens the breath.

Provides a Low-calorie Snack
Chewing gum often satisfies the desire for a between-meals snack, yet each stick averages less than 10 calories.

Helps Fight Tooth Decay
After meals, it isn't always convenient to use a toothbrush. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which helps neutralize acids from foods that may cause tooth decay.

Proofs for these statements are not provided for the reader.

The thing that bugs me the most is the Low calorie snack one, because if we bother to look for nutritional info about Wrigley gum, we'll find that one of the most popular Wrigley gums, Winterfresh, contains 2 grams of sugar (and that's pure carb girls!) per serving size (which is 1 stick or two pellets)!

OMG! And on top of that they have the nerve to write on that very same page that the 2 grams of carb is only 1 percent of the recommended daily value. Are they for real? Are we supposed to eat 200 grams of sugar every day?

I'm going to stay clear of chewing gum until they get their act straight.