It is difficult to find a person in the modern civilized world who has no idea about chewing gum. People have always chewed something, only for different purposes. In ancient times, teeth were cleaned in this way, chewing muscles were developed, and nerves were calmed. As chewing gum, our ancestors most often used birch resin. Only at the end of the XIX century. began to chew natural rubber, adding various substances to it to improve the taste.

In 1928, the first commercially successful chewing gum, Dubble Bubble, was released. After that, the composition of the gum is constantly changing, new substances are added to improve the taste, color, smell. Rubber is a natural polymer derived from latex that makes up the elastic base of chewing gum. It is also used for the manufacture of rubber, shoes, glue.

What is chewing gum made of?

The basis of modern chewing gum is rubber. Also, various flavors, dyes and sweeteners are added to it.
  1. Latex - the basis of chewing gum, is considered harmless.
  2. Flavorings (natural or identical to them, capable of causing allergies).
  3. Dyes (all kinds of E are far from harmless substances, many of them have a carcinogenic property).
  4. Sweeteners (sugar promotes tooth decay, aspartame can cause headaches and nausea, sorbitol and xylitol are known laxatives).

Is there any benefit?

Undoubtedly, chewing gum must have some positive properties, otherwise its distribution and use is pointless. And she has such advantages. Firstly, chewing gum still helps to clean the teeth, which is loudly shouted by advertising. Chewing after a meal improves the condition of the mouth, the consistency of the gum helps food residues stick to it, and thus they are removed. Secondly, during chewing, saliva is actively produced - a natural tooth cleaner. The refreshing effect of chewing gum is undeniable, however, it has a short-term effect, masking (if any), and not eliminating the cause. The act of chewing itself has been proven to be soothing, no matter what. Chewing gum has a suitable consistency and properties, does not change in volume over time and does not dissolve, so you can chew it for a long time and measuredly, putting your nerves in order. True, the long-term result of the action of such an anti-stress is difficult to track.

Is chewing gum a pest?

In addition to positive properties, chewing gum and its improper use has a number of negative properties. During chewing, the saliva released, which has an alkaline reaction, inevitably enters the stomach, reducing its acidity. In response to this, the production of an additional amount of gastric juice, the basis of which is hydrochloric acid, begins. If this happens on an empty stomach, problems cannot be avoided, because the aggressive action of the acid is directed primarily to the walls of the stomach itself. The constant irritating effect of gastric juice contributes to the development of gastritis and. The next point that should be noted is the harm of constant stimulation of the salivary glands, in which at first a lot of saliva is released, and then its deficiency develops. This phenomenon can contribute to the development of xerostomia - pathological dryness of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. , breakage of prostheses and braces, overload of the periodontal tissues in periodontal diseases - this can also be facilitated by prolonged chewing of gum. The composition of the gum includes various preservatives, dyes, flavors, stabilizers and thickeners, all of which enter the body and have their far from positive effects.

Chewing and brain function

Many have known since childhood that eating and reading are things that are difficult to combine, either food or information is not absorbed. Chewing gum not only calms, but also inhibits brain activity, reducing attention, preventing concentration. Although someone may disagree with these statements, this is already a personal matter for everyone.

Culture and gum

Eating should take place in places designated for this. In today's fast-moving and accelerating world, we do everything quickly, on the go. Having a snack during a trip to the subway, on the street, in the car, a person does not think about how much this corresponds to culture and etiquette. As a continuation of the meal - chewing gum, dragging on for a long time. People are constantly in a hurry, experiencing stress, chewing gum in such a situation helps to calm down, only such a habit has nothing to do with culture. A well-mannered person respects other people and is unlikely to chew during a conversation, in a theater or on a TV screen. Self-confidence will not increase in any way with the help of chewing gum, although many believe the opposite and actively demonstrate this.


Rules for using chewing gum


Chewing gum should be used immediately after eating and no more than 10-15 minutes.
  • Chewing gum should only be used for oral hygiene after eating, when it is not possible to brush your teeth.
  • You need to chew while the gum has a taste (about 5-10 minutes). This time is enough to remove the remnants of food from the oral cavity.
  • Do not use chewing gum on an empty stomach or in case of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Buy high-quality chewing gums, avoiding products from third world countries.
  • Do not use chewing gum for chronic gum disease, multiple fillings in the oral cavity, pathological abrasion of teeth.

Popular Representatives

Wrigley brand Orbit chewing gums have a wide range of different flavors and are very popular, produced since 1944. The same company produces chewing gums such as Hubba Bubba, Juicy Fruit, Eclipse, Extra, Big Red. Dirol chewing gum has been known since 1968 and was the first sugar-free gum. In Russia, it appeared only in the early 90s. Chewing gums are produced in the form of dragees or plates, with liquid filler or as part of lollipops, for every taste and color.


Xylitol

In 1988, the European Dental Association recommended chewing gum with xylitol after each meal as a preventative measure. Xylitol (E-967) is a sugar substitute that is poorly absorbed by the body. It does not ferment, plaque bacteria cannot use it as food, which explains it. Xylitol acts as a laxative, the maximum allowable daily dose is about 30 g.

To chew or not to chew?

The fashion for chewing gum in our country appeared in the 90s. of the last century and steadily entrenched among young people. To chew or not - it is up to each individual to decide for himself. It is worth remembering the rules for using chewing gum and avoid too long and frequent use of it. As a hygiene product, chewing gum is recommended by dentists, but only as a means of cleaning teeth after meals for short-term use. In children, the use of chewing gum is recommended in cases where it is not possible to brush their teeth. It is worth thinking about what substances will enter the baby's body at the time of chewing gum, and weigh the appropriateness of its use at an early age, before contributing to the formation of a bad chewing habit in a child.

Random Fact:

Physical activity increases intelligence. This is due to the fact that during sports, bioactive substances are produced. —

Article added by user Maria
14.04.2016

Chewing gum has gained its popularity for quite a long time. She is loved by both adults and the younger generation. Chewing gum is a culinary product that consists of an inedible elastic base and various aromatic and flavoring additives. In the process of use, the fillers gradually dissolve and because of this, the chewing gum will slightly decrease in volume, after which it loses its taste and becomes tasteless. The history of chewing gum dates back to Ancient Greece, when the Greeks loved to chew the resin of the Mastic tree, which grows in Greece and Turkey. Mastic for them was chewing gum, even then they realized that resin freshens breath and cleans teeth. The Mayan Indians used the sap of the Sapodilla tree thousands of years ago, and the Indians of Latin America chewed the congealed sap of coniferous trees. Chewing gum has been improved by mixing beeswax and resin of coniferous trees. To date, the gum industry is one of the most profitable, thanks to advertising, people subconsciously absorb that chewing gum is a delicious product. For many, the use of chewing gum is a habit and few people think about its effect on the human body. Manufacturers offer many varieties of chewing gum for different tastes and brightly colored packages. In our time, they began to talk a lot about the harm to the human body that chewing gum causes. In some countries, the craze of the population for chewing gum is considered a social problem, because people chew it during a conversation, at school and lectures, they do not take into account time and place. The harmfulness of chewing gum is due to the fact that it contains chemicals that most people do not know about. Advertisers assure you that chewing gum restores the acid-base balance, improves tooth enamel, removes tartar and more. But not a single advertisement will tell you that people who often use chewing gum experience mechanical damage to tooth enamel, develop diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, or have fillings fall out.

The chemical composition of chewing gum

The chemical composition of chewing gum has changed many times since the beginning of its history. Chewing gum is a type of candy, which includes an inedible elastic base and various aromatic and flavoring additives. The main components of modern chewing gum are: stabilizers, antioxidants, dyes, chewing base, the content of which ranges from 20 to 30%, flavors, fragrances or flavoring additives (about 10%), a small amount of liquid, shaping components, sweeteners make up to 60% of chewing gum glazing agents.

  • E-100i - Yellow-orange dye
  • E-120 - Red dye
  • E-132 - Blue dye
  • E-171 - White dye
  • E-296 - Acidity regulator
  • E-320 - Antioxidant
  • E-321 - Antioxidant
  • E-322 - Emulsifiers
  • E-330 - Acidity regulator, antioxidant
  • E-414 - Thickener
  • E-420 - Sweetener, emulsifier, humectant
  • E-421 - Sweetener, emulsifier
  • E-422 - Stabilizer
  • E-500ii - Acidity regulator
  • E-636 - Flavor and aroma enhancer
  • E-903 Glazing agent
  • E-927b - Acidity regulator
  • E-950, E-951, E-967 - Sweeteners
  • E-133 - Coloring agent Sweeteners are added to chewing gum in order to add flavor to the product. Today, instead of sweeteners, intense sweeteners or sweeteners are added. Of these sweeteners, sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, mannitol are introduced into the chewing gum. Flavoring additives that are used for chewing gums include: peppermint, fruit compositions, mint, eucalyptus. It is known that mint components are preferred over fruit flavors, as some of the bottoms are still prepared with the addition of sugar, so mint components are most often preferred.

Influence of chewing gum components on human health.

  • 1.) Stabilizer E-422 (glycerol) - when absorbed into the blood, it has a strong toxic effect, can cause blood diseases, such as methemoglobin kidney infarcts, hemolysis and hemoglobinuria.
  • 2.) Antioxidant E-320 (butylhydrohydroxyanisole) - is able to increase the cholesterol content in the blood.
  • 3.) And the emulsifier E-322 (lecithins and phosphatides) - helps to accelerate salivation, which leads to disruption of the digestive tract.
  • 4.) Acid

Popularly referred to as chewing gum, it is a lifesaver in the daily life of every person.

Sometimes it happens that some situations make it impossible to brush your teeth. Or you need to freshen your breath before a business meeting or date. It is at such moments that chewing gum comes to the rescue.

Although not everyone is happy with her. Some question the chemical composition of gum. But is chewing gum really that bad?

History of occurrence

The origin of chewing gum is rooted in the distant past, namely, the first mention of it appeared 5000 years ago in ancient Greece.

The Greeks, as well as the inhabitants of the Middle East, cleaned their teeth by chewing rubber and the resin of the mastic tree. So these tools can be safely called the first prototypes of chewing gum.

But the origin, which approximately resembled the real one, dates back to 1848. Of course, it is very different from the modern one. The basis for chewing gum, the composition - all this was based on rubber. Yes, she looked different.

Its creator was John Curtis, an Englishman who created gum from resin with the addition of beeswax. He cut it in portions into small pieces, wrapped it in paper and put it up for sale. Somewhat later, Curtis added spices and paraffin to his invention, which gave the chewing gum flavor. Although all this did not save the situation that the chewing gum could not withstand the heat and sunlight in any way and in a short time lost its marketable appearance.

Chewing gum, the composition of which was very primitive, underwent some changes only in 1884. Thomas Adams was the inventor of the improved chewing gum.

His first chewing gum was endowed with an elongated shape and a licorice taste, which, however, was short-lived. The problem was decided to be corrected by adding sugar and corn syrup.

Since then, chewing gum began to gradually take on the appearance of the product that everyone is used to seeing in our time.

Adams was the creator of the first fruit-flavored chewing gum, whose name, by the way, this chewing gum is still produced to this day.

In 1892, Wrigley's Spearmint, still known to this day, appeared, the creator of which was William Wrigley. In addition, he improved the technical production of the product - the chewing gum itself, the composition has changed: the shape has become expressed in the form of a plate or a ball, components such as powdered sugar, fruit additives have been added.

Chemical components of chewing gum

At the beginning of the last century, chewing gum manufacturers came up with a single formula for what real chewing gum should be. Its composition looked like this:

1. Sugar or its substitutes make up 60%.

2. Rubber - 20%.

3. Flavored components - 1%.

4. Corn syrup to prolong the taste - 19%.

Modern manufacturers produce their products with the following composition:

1. Chewing base.

2. Aspartame.

3. Starch.

4. Coconut oil.

5. Various dyes.

6. Glycerol.

7. Flavors of natural and artificial nature.

8. Technical ionol.

9. Acids: malic and citric.

This composition raises doubts about the usefulness of chewing gum. But without chemical components, modern chewing gum would not be able to retain its taste for a long time, be subject to long-term storage.

Benefits of chewing gum

The use of chewing gum, although it causes a lot of controversy about its benefits and harms, nevertheless, this does not detract from its relevance. Chewing this product brings its own benefits for a person.

  • Chewing gum makes breath fresh and pleasant.
  • Regular chewing helps strengthen gums. This is true, but for this you need to chew evenly on both sides of the mouth, otherwise you can achieve the development of facial asymmetry.
  • Maintains the acid-base environment of the oral cavity.

Chewing gum harm

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people, and maybe more, chew gum without thinking about its effect on the body. But chewing gum can be harmful.

  • Regular use disrupts the usual production of saliva. Salivation quantitatively increases, and this is a negative deviation from the norm.
  • You can't chew gum on an empty stomach. The result of this can be the production of gastric juice, which will irritate the walls of the stomach, which will eventually lead to the formation of gastritis.
  • Although chewing gum strengthens the gums, it can also adversely affect their condition. The result can be impaired blood circulation, which will lead to their inflammation or periodontal disease.
  • Recently, scientists have found that regular gum chewing contributes to a slow reaction and deterioration of mental abilities.
  • If you have fillings on your teeth, chewing gum can cause them to fall out.
  • Chemical carcinogens have negative effects on the body, including can provoke the development of various diseases. First of all, the gastrointestinal tract can suffer.

Myths about chewing gum

Chewing gum is a popular product. Commercials claim daily that its regular use will bring a lot of benefits, for example, it will protect teeth from caries, give them perfect whiteness, and freshen breath. But which of this is true, and which is just a publicity stunt?

Myth 1: chewing gum will prevent cavities and clean your teeth of food debris. The plausibility of this statement is about 50 to 50. Of course, chewing gum will not protect against caries, but it can remove food debris, as a result of which chewing gum can be used when there is no way to brush your teeth.

Myth 2: Gum will create a "Hollywood smile". Alas, but this is an empty promise of advertising.

Myth 3: Chewing gum will speed up weight loss. Many believe that chewing gum reduces the feeling of hunger, respectively, you want to eat less. But this is a delusion. Also, don't chew gum on an empty stomach.

Myth 4: Swallowed gum will remain in the stomach for several years. This cannot be. The chewing gum will be eliminated from the body naturally in a couple of days.

"Orbit". What is inside?

"Orbit" - chewing gum, the composition of which includes various artificial fillers. However, this manufacturer is quite famous, which justifies the huge popularity of the product produced by him.

After looking at the composition of the chewing gum "Orbit", which is indicated on the back of the package, you can see the following elements:

The components that create a sweet aftertaste are maltitol E965, sorbitol E420, mannitol E421, aspartame E951, acesulfame K E950.

Various flavors, natural and artificial, depending on the intended flavor of the gum.

Coloring agents: E171 - titanium dioxide, which gives the chewing gum a snow-white color.

Additional components: emulsifier E322 - soy lecithin, antioxidant E321 - an artificial substitute for vitamin E, which inhibits oxidation, sodium bicarbonate E500ii, thickener E414, emulsifier and defoamer, stabilizer E422, glazing agent E903.

There is also an Orbita variant without sweeteners. The composition of gum "Orbit" without sugar is the same as that of the usual one, only it contains sweeteners: xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol.

"Dirol": component composition

Dirol is another well-known manufacturer of chewing gum. The components from which it is made differ from those used for Orbit, but there are still some similarities.

The composition of the chewing gum "Dirol":

Chewing base - polymer latex.

Sweeteners - isomalt E953, sorbitol E420, mannitol E421, maltitol syrup, acesulfame K E950, xylitol, aspartame E951.

Flavor additions depend on the intended flavor of the gum.

Dyes - E171, E170 (calcium carbonate 4%, white dye).

Additional elements - E322 emulsifier, E321 antioxidant - an artificial substitute for vitamin E, which helps to inhibit oxidation processes, E441 stabilizer, E341iii texturizer, E414 thickener, emulsifier and defoamer, E422 stabilizer, E903 glazing agent.

E422, when it enters the bloodstream, causes intoxication of the body.

E321 increases the level of bad cholesterol.

E322 increases the production of saliva, which subsequently negatively affects the gastrointestinal tract.

Citric acid can provoke the formation of tumors.

Chewing gum "Eclipse"

The composition of the chewing gum "Eclipse" is as follows:

The base is latex.

Sweeteners - maltitol, sorbitol, mannitol, acesulfame K, aspartame.

Flavors are used natural and identical to natural. They depend on the taste of chewing gum.

Coloring agents - calcium carbonate 4%, E 171, blue dye, E 132.

Additional substances - E 414 (gum arabic), stabilizer E 422, glazing agent E 903, antioxidant E 321.

Chewing gum "Avalanche of freshness"

Chewing gum "Avalanche of freshness" goes on sale in the form of small balls and green.

Such chewing gum is sold not in packaged packages of several pieces, but by weight. But basically, the sale of such chewing gum is carried out through special machines - by the piece.

Chewing gum "Avalanche of freshness" has the following composition: latex, powdered sugar, caramel syrup, glucose, Bubble Gum and Menthol flavoring, coloring components "shiny blue" and "sea wave", E171, E903.

If we evaluate the composition of chewing gums, the conclusion about their "usefulness" suggests itself. However, rarely does anyone think about the consequences that chewing gum can cause.

On the other hand, chewing gum can help out in some situations.

Chewing gum is a food product loved by many. People usually chew gum several times a day after meals. It helps to clean the mouth and teeth from food debris. Chewing gum can be chewed for a long time and does not dissolve. Why is this happening and what is the composition of this product?

Composition of chewing gum

The main ingredient in chewing gum is the gum base. Previously, at the beginning of the 20th century, the ideal composition was as follows: 60% sugar, about 20% rubber 19% corn syrup and 1% various flavors.

Now, for the production of this product, the composition is approximately the same, but only the rubber has been replaced with synthetic rubber, and many thickeners and flavors have also been added. All ingredients are mixed and heated to form a gum base.

Consider the list of hazardous substances that are contained in chewing gum:

  • Aspartame- this is a rather dangerous sweetener, when it enters the body, it decomposes into elements such as amino acids and methanol. The latter is a dangerous poison that can cause serious harm to the nervous system. Aspartame is found not only in chewing gum, but in almost all sugary carbonated drinks.
  • Acesulfame Potassium or E950 - this component can cause cancer. Of the ten experimental rats that were injected with this substance, four had cancer.
  • Butylated hydroxytoluene or E321. This food additive is not only used in chewing gum, it is also used in jet fuel and as an oil for electrical transformers.

In addition to the ingredients described above, chewing gum contains sorbidol, lecithin, glycerol, flavors, titanium dioxide and other ingredients.

Chewing gum has a rather complex chemical composition. Not all components are safe, many cause serious harm to health.

Millions are spent annually on advertising companies for chewing gum. Each manufacturer tries to present its products in the most noble way, without any concern for the consequences for the end consumer. Is it true that such a popular remedy for healthy teeth and a snow-white smile actually adversely affects our health? What is the harm of chewing gum, how to protect yourself without giving up the usual "delicacy".

Composition of chewing gum

The chewing gum is based on rubber - a complex of polymeric compounds that do not split in the oral cavity under the influence of saliva. In fact, we are chewing on an elastic piece of plastic, well seasoned with all sorts of flavors. In order for chewing gum to have a taste and aroma, preservatives, flavorings and sugar or its substitutes are used. Each of these ingredients negatively affects the body in its own way, causing various health problems:

  • Sugar creates a favorable environment in the oral cavity for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora that affects tooth enamel.
  • Sorbitol and xylitol are used as substitutes for the sweet base. These ingredients can cause stomach pain, bloating and diarrhea.
  • At the heart of flavorings, substances that corrode the delicate mucous membrane are most often used. This leads to the appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity.
  • Special oils are added to chewing gums, from which large bubbles are inflated. When it comes into contact with the skin in the mouth, they provoke the development of perioral dermatitis.
  • E140 and E321 (dyes and antioxidants) often cause allergic skin reactions. The most common of these is hives.

Some manufacturers use licorice extract in their chewing gums. With regular intake, it can increase blood pressure and reduce the concentration of potassium in the blood.

This is not the whole list of dangerous ingredients used in the production of chewing gums. And how harmful chewing gum will depend on the periodic table, stuffed into the composition of a popular delicacy.

Why chewing gum is harmful: 10 basic facts

Information about the benefits of chewing gum is extremely unreliable, and the results of medical research in the frame are nothing more than a marketing ploy. And if you often chew gum, no dentist will save your teeth. And the problems of the oral cavity are not the only thing that can threaten lovers for a long time to process a piece of fragrant polymer.