6 Unpleasant side effects of chewing gum
Many have heard of gum being indigestible, but that might not be the only thing to freak you out right now.
BE IT for stress relief, bad breath, or to suppress food cravings, chewing gum is the answer for many.
However, it’s not all sunshine and roses.
Many have heard of gum being indigestible but that might not be the only thing to freak you out right now.
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Herewith, some of the most common side effects of chewing gum according to Dr Mercola’s Natural Health :
1. Chewing Gum May Increase Your Junk-Food Intake – even though you may be chewing to reduce food cravings, meals end up being less nutritious than those eaten by non-gum-chewers.
2. It May Trigger TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) in Your Jaw – Anytime you overuse a certain set of muscles, it can lead to contracted muscles and related pain, including headaches, earaches, and toothaches over time.
3. Gastrointestinal Problems – Chewing gum causes you to swallow excess air, which can contribute to abdominal pain and bloating seen with irritable bowel syndrome. Further, when you chew gum you send your body physical signals that food is about to enter your body. The enzymes and acids that are activated when you chew gum are therefore released, but without the food they’re intended to digest. This can cause bloating, an overproduction of stomach acid, and can compromise your ability to produce sufficient digestive secretions when you actually do eat food.
4. Tooth Damage – Even if you chew sugar-free gum, there are still risks to your teeth because sugar-free gum often contains acidic flavorings and preservatives that may in fact lead to dental erosion.
5. Sheep Byproducts – Chewing gum often contains lanolin, a waxy substance that’s derived from sheep wool, to help it stay soft. While not necessarily dangerous to your health, chewing on lanolin is not exactly appetizing.
6. Release Mercury From Your Fillings – If you have mercury fillings, every time you chew, mercury vapor is released and quickly finds its way into your bloodstream, where it causes oxidative processes in your tissues.
You may want to take into consideration the following side effects before popping another piece into your mouth.
FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER HEALTH-RELATED TOPICS, VISIT DR MERCOLA’S WEBSITE
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