6 Gross Side Effects Of Chewing Gum

January 6, 2014

We know what you're going to say. "Now you're taking away my gum, too?!" After all, chewing gum seems like such a harmless—no, even smart—habit. You want something sweet? Pop a stick of gum for less than 5 calories (better than a candy bar, right?). Stressed? Chew a couple sticks of gum (preferable to chewing out a coworker, no?). Feeling hungry? Chomp some gum while you think about your options (as in, hit the brakes before you end up knuckle-deep in the chips). What’s not to like?

How about IBS and junk food binges, just to name a few unwelcome consequences of your gum habit. Consider the following before you reach for that next stick…

You'll eat less fruit and more junk food

Chewing gum before a meal is often recommended as a way to reduce hunger and eat less. But a recent study published in the journal Eating Behaviors debunks this belief. The study showed gum chewing not only had no effect on calories consumed, but chewing mint-flavored gum reduced the intake of healthy food (fruit) and increased the likelihood of eating junk food such as potato chips and candy. Researchers believe the minty flavor of the gum gave fruits and vegetables a bitter flavor. Try sipping a cup of green tea before a meal to curb your appetite instead, which can even help you lose weight.

More from Prevention: The 25 Worst Weight Loss Tips Ever

It can trigger TMJ

Chewing gum can lead to symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which includes jaw pain associated with the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Ouch. "Overuse of any muscle and joint can lead to pain and problems," says Don Atkins, DDS, a dentist in Long Beach, California. Many people end up with contracted muscles of the jaw, head, and neck, which can lead to headaches, earaches, or toothaches over time. Eat an apple instead, which satisfies the urge to chew and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease at the same time. (For more healthy ways to de-stress, check out these 2-minute stress busters.)

You could develop GI problems

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a GI disorder characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in bowel habits. "Chewing gum can contribute to IBS, as excess air can be swallowed, which contributes to abdominal pain and bloating," says Patrick Takahashi, MD, chief of gastroenterology at St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. In addition to swallowing air, artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol can cause diarrhea in otherwise healthy people.

More from Prevention: Is Aspartame Safe? 

You'll rot your teeth

In an effort to avoid the laxative effect of artificially sweetened gum, switching to sugar-sweetened gum may sound logical, but it's fraught with its own issues. "Sugar-sweetened gum bathes the teeth in sugar and is a source of tooth decay," says Dr. Atkins.

You're chewing a sheep by-product

Lanolin, an ingredient found in skincare products, keeps chewing gum soft. It doesn't sound too bad until you find out it's a yellow waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Known as "wool fat," lanolin is harvested by squeezing the sheep's harvested wool between rollers. "In the amounts utilized in chewing gum, it hardly poses a threat to one's health, although the thought of digesting it may be a bit unsavory," says Dr. Takahashi. Unsavory indeed. 

You're releasing mercury into your system

Silver fillings known as amalgam dental fillings consist of a combination of mercury, silver, and tin. And research shows that chewing gum can release the mercury from the fillings into your system. The problem? High levels of mercury can cause neurological issues as well as chronic illnesses and mental disorders. Fortunately, the small amount released through dental fillings isn't likely to harm you, says Dr. Takahashi, as it typically passes easily through your intestinal tract. That said, do you really want metal in your body?