Here's What Happens to Your Body if You Chew Gum Every Day

Emily Laurence
·4 min read
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Everything we consume impacts the body either positively or negatively. You may notice that certain foods or drinks make you feel more energized or give you the extra push you need to crush your workout while other foods and drinks make you feel sluggish or just kinda icky. But have you ever stopped to think about how chewing gum affects your body?

Even though we don’t swallow gum (or shouldn’t, at least!), chewing it can still affect how we feel—especially if you reach for a stick every day. Keep reading to find out exactly how chewing gum every day impacts the body and mind.

Related: Dubble Bubble Trouble: 12 Ways To Successfully Remove Gum From Clothes, Carpet, and More 

How Chewing Gum Impacts the Gut

Many chewing gums on the market are sugar-free and advertised as the better-for-you option. While you may already know that sugar negatively impacts health, Kim Kulp, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in gut health, says that sugar-free gum can also negatively impact the gut. “Sugarless gums can contain a variety of sweeteners that may lead to digestive distress,” she says, explaining that many chewing gums contain xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol or isomalt, which are a group of reduced-calorie carbohydrates that are called polyols. “For some people, polyols can be hard to absorb in small amounts, and almost everyone will have problems if they eat too much, leading to gas, bloating and diarrhea,” she explains.

Registered dietitian Crystal Scott, MS, RD, LD, CDCES, CSP, CSSD, agrees, saying, “Some artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol or maltitol, can have a laxative effect when consumed in large quantities, leading to digestive issues such as diarrhea or bloating.” So if these G.I. issues are something you deal with regularly, your chewing gum could be the culprit.

Chewing gum after eating a meal—a common habit—also impacts digestive health, both in positive and potentially negative ways. Scott says that chewing gum after a meal may stimulate saliva production, which helps in the initial stages of digestion by breaking down starches. However, she reiterates that it can also cause gas and digestive discomfort because of artificial sweeteners.

Kulp says that one small scientific study showed that chewing sugarless gum after a meal could help with acid reflux. But she adds that it’s important not to choose a mint flavored gum since mint could actually make acid reflux worse.

Related: Here's What People Actually Mean When They Talk About 'Gut Health'

How Chewing Gum Impacts Oral Health

Many people use chewing gum to make their breath smell good, but the truth is that gum’s impact on oral health isn’t so straightforward; it affects it in both positive and negative ways. Kulp says that chewing gum can increase saliva production, which helps clear away food particles and bacteria that can stick to teeth, without the sugar that can lead to cavities.

But Scott says that chewing gum with sugar can lead to tooth decay and actually increase the risk of dental cavities. “Opting for sugar-free gum or gum sweetened with xylitol can be a better choice for oral health,” she says. Scientific studies also show that sugar-free gum can be beneficial for oral health while chewing gum with sugar can negatively impact oral health. There are some gum brands that are specifically crafted to benefit oral health. This includes Happy Ppl, Simply Gum and Pür.

Related: There's a Surprising Connection Between Oral Health and Mental Health—Here's What to Know

Other Impacts of Chewing Gum Every Day

Chewing gum every day not only affects the body; it impacts mental health too. For example, both dietitians say that some scientific studies suggest that chewing gum can help reduce stress and increase concentration at work. Scott says that this is because chewing is repetitive, which can be soothing.

If you feel nauseated—such as on a boat, long car ride or because of pregnancy—Kulp says that chewing gum may help. Chewing gum with peppermint or ginger can especially help with nausea.

Scott points out that chewing gum has also long been used as a way to cut back on smoking cigarettes. “Some studies suggest that chewing gum, particularly nicotine gum, can help individuals quit smoking by reducing cravings and providing a distraction,” she says.

Chewing gum is one of those little habits you may not think much about, but as you can see, it absolutely can impact how you feel. If you find that you’re experiencing digestive distress or your oral health seems to be negatively impacted, take this as a sign to cut back on how much gum you’re chewing. The health impact of gum is certainly something to chew over!

Next up, find out what happens to your body if you eat fast food once a week.

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