At the beginning of the 20th century, the ideal formula was derived:

• 60% sugar or sweeteners;
• 20% rubber;
• 1% flavor;
• 19% corn syrup.

If natural rubber was originally used, now synthetic polymers are more common in the composition. For example, polyisobutylene.

The basis of modern chewing gum there are 4 types of components: base, flavoring agents, dyes, sweeteners.

The composition of popular brands of gum

Various nutritional supplements

Latex

It is a rubber base.

Considered harmless, but extensive research has not been conducted.

To rubber long time remained elastic, glycerin, lecithin and other emulsifiers were added to it.

Flavors

Use to improve taste and smell... Are natural: essential oils, extracts, products containing aromatic components of fruits, spices and so on.

Or flavors identical to natural. Such as vanillin, ethyl acetate, ethyl formate and others. Experiments on animals have shown the destructive effect of such flavorings on the metabolism in the body. Especially dangerous for the child's body.

Flavors irritate the oral mucosa and contribute to the occurrence of wounds.

In addition, packages usually do not indicate which flavorings are used. It is impossible to check what enters the body.

Dyes

Regardless of their origin, they are strong allergens. E120 is obtained from plants (part of Orbit), E141 from insects E160a - carotene. E171 - titanium white, which was previously not allowed in Food Industry... Some gums contain E131, a dye with a pronounced carcinogenic property.

Sweeteners

As you can see from the table, pure sugar is rarely used. Its substitutes are more popular, as they retain longer sweet taste products.

Sugar with prolonged contact with tooth enamel, it provokes the growth of microbes, which contributes to the development of caries.

Aspartame Is an extremely popular sugar substitute. In the body, it is broken down into methanol and amino acids. Methanol is toxic acts on the vascular and nervous systems of a person. May cause headache, nausea, weakness. Experiments on animals have shown that with prolonged use of aspartame, they develop oncological diseases... This is due to the fact that as the temperature rises, methanol transforms into formaldehyde. Safe dose it is considered not more than 3 g per day.

Beckons, maltitol, xylitol can cause stomach upset, in large doses have a laxative effect. This effect occurs when using a package (10 pieces) per day. Xylitol also contributes to the formation of kidney stones.

Sorbitol and isomalt also have a laxative effect when the dose is exceeded in 30-50 g. Cause flatulence.

Acesulfame-K refers to food sweeteners medium danger. It is considered a carcinogen. Although EU scientists deny the link between the supplement and the occurrence of tumors.

Additional components

Glycerol E422, when it enters the bloodstream, poisons the body, affecting the state of the blood.

Antioxidants increase blood cholesterol levels.

Emulsifier E322 enhances salivation, prolonged chewing disrupts the gastrointestinal intestinal tract.

Lemon acid with prolonged use, it causes blood diseases. Promotes the onset of tumors.

Butyl and menthol cause a local allergic reaction - the skin around the mouth becomes inflamed.

This is far from full list components. Many components build up in the body and can be a time bomb for your health.

The benefits and harms of gum, its pros and cons

How does chewing this product affect the body?

Positive sides:

1. To some extent cleans teeth from food debris. Part sticks to the gum, and part is washed out with saliva, which is released in greater volume during chewing.
2. Chewing provokes increased secretion of gastric juice. Therefore, it is recommended to chew only after meals. it accelerates the process of food digestion.
3. Helps to quickly eliminate bad smell from mouth.
4. Chewing reduces nervous tension. In stressful situations, it helps to relax.

Negative sides:

• A lot of saliva is discharged. Once in the stomach, it dilutes the gastric juice, lowering its acidity. As a result, additional acid is produced. If chews on an empty stomach, acid eats away at its walls. Frequent irritation causes stomach ailments;
• dangerous for fillings, dentures. Provokes a violation of their integrity. The jaw is overstrained, a dislocation may develop;
• the components are far from harmless. Many are not fully understood. Can accumulate in the body and cause disease;
• sugar with prolonged contact with enamel contributes to the development of caries;
• a large number of pads consumed per day (15–20 pieces) causes a sharp loss of weight and upset bowel movements.

Chewing after a meal for 5-15 minutes will not harm your health. But it is more useful to brush your teeth or eat a hard vegetable or fruit (apple, carrot). It will also cleanse your teeth.

Can children chew gum?

Of course, parents decide whether or not to give a treat to the baby. But doctors do not recommend treating children under three years of age with this product... Better to postpone acquaintance with this product until four years.

Dangers to the child's body:

1. Toddler's tooth enamel is much thinner than adult, prolonged chewing makes it thinner.
2. Colors, flavors and other additives are bad for children's health... Dangerous doses harmful substances for children at times less than for adults. Therefore, if you use this product, then with minimum amount dangerous components.
3. Safe use time is 5 minutes. But few adhere to it. The child should not be allowed to chew for more than 15 minutes. And only after eating.
4. It is noted that children who are used to chewing gum are more likely to become addicted to bad habits in adulthood.
5. Babies often swallow gum. This can provoke serious conditions. There have been cases when sticky gum blocked the intestines. There is a possibility of suffocation.
6. The chewing process weakens attention. And in children it is already scattered. Frequent use of gum can provoke developmental delays.

Better introduce the child to this product as late as possible... Do not chew uncontrollably long time... Make sure that the baby does not play with chewing gum in his mouth, to avoid accidental swallowing or getting the gum in the respiratory tract.

So this is a product questionable benefit... More harm from it. You can use it only after meals and for a short time. Better not to get used to chewing gum. Children should be given it as little as possible. For the child's body it is difficult to cope with the large amount of harmful substances contained in it.

Can not use this product in case of illness gastrointestinal tract, inflammation in the oral cavity. He does not replace brushing your teeth.

At the end, we invite you to watch a video on this topic:

Modern chewing gum comprises following ingredients:

• · Chewing base (20-30%), represented by various resins and paraffin, which allow the gums to soften easily at the temperature of the oral cavity;
• Sweeteners (60%) - glucose or food sugar, or sweeteners;
• · flavoring additives;
• Composition stabilizers (usually glycerin);
• · Flavors;
• · Emulsifiers;
• Dyes

Chewing gum traditional composition possesses cleansing properties, has a refreshing and deodorizing effect. The composition of chewing gums began to include abrasives, for example, sodium and calcium phosphates, calcium carbonate, kaolin, etc. Chewing gums have been proposed that prevent the deposition of dental plaque.

According to the classification, simple, hygienic and preventive chewing gums are distinguished.

Simple chewing gums (sugar-containing) help cleanse teeth from plaque, stimulate salivation, and have a caries-provoking effect by lowering the pH of saliva.

Hygienic chewing gums contain simple sweeteners, help cleanse teeth from plaque, stimulate salivation, and are neutral in relation to organs and tissues of the oral cavity.

Prophylactic (modern) chewing gums have a more complex composition, which includes several sweeteners and crystals of the pro-Z type. These gums have cleansing properties, neutralize the acid in the mouth and restore the pH of the oral fluid.

Sugar-free prophylactic chewing gums are considered therapeutic and prophylactic oral hygiene products and must be certified as such. Mandatory certification of preventive chewing gums was introduced by the Ministry of Health and the State Standard of Russia and is carried out in order to block the path of low-quality products and help the consumer figure out which products will help to strengthen his health and are guaranteed not to harm him. When certifying chewing gums, specialists conduct thorough studies of their properties, including laboratory and clinical ones. The central certification body for oral hygiene products in the Russian Federation is the Profident Center. Thus, in this center, the products of the leading chewing gum manufacturers were certified: Wrigley's companies - Wrigley`s Spearmint chewing gums, Wrigley`s Doublemint, Orbit Peppermint discs, Orbit Winterfresh dragee, Orbit for children "and others and the firm" Dandy "-" Dirol Effect with carbomide "," Stimorol without sugar ", etc.

According to the certification data, all chewing gums from these companies do not contain sugar.

What qualities can be distinguished as the most basic in terms of classifying this chewing gum as a therapeutic and prophylactic means of oral hygiene? This is, first of all, the absence of sugar and its replacement with sweeteners - xylitol and sorbitol, their combinations and derivatives.

The sweeteners in chewing gum can have an anti-carious effect.

Another property that allows chewing gum to be classified as therapeutic and prophylactic is the presence of additional ingredients, enhancing their anti-carious effect. Examples of such ingredients are fluorides, calcium salts.

According to the Bulgarian academician Todor Dichev, most chewing gums, instead of protecting teeth and gums, contain components that themselves cause such diseases of the teeth, gums and oral cavity as caries, periodontal disease.

After analyzing the composition of the most popular chewing gums (Orbit, Dirol, Stimorol) and identifying the components they contain: sweeteners, rubber base, natural flavors, identical to natural and artificial, stabilizer E 422, thickener E 414, emulsifier E 322, dye E 171, glaze E 903, antioxidant E 320.

From the reference book "Sanitary rules and norms SanPin" found out that:

• - stabilizer E 422 is glycerin, when absorbed into the blood it has strong toxic properties, causing quite serious blood diseases, for example, such as hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, as well as kidney infarctions;
• - the emulsifier E 322 is lecithin, it is obtained, as a rule, from soy. This valuable substance is an important supplier of phosphorus for our body and helps to regulate fat metabolism. Lecithins accelerate salivation, which in turn can lead to a gradual disruption of the digestive tract;
• - antioxidant E 320 is butylhydroxyanisole, with frequent use products containing an antioxidant, the level of cholesterol in the blood rises;
• - acid E 330 is citric acid, long and uncontrolled use of citric acid can cause serious blood diseases;
• - the thickener E 414 is gum arabic;
• - glaze E 903 is a carnauba wax, gives gloss and shine to the product, the glaze shell does not allow the product to dry out, does not let fat from the inside and moisture from the outside;
• - natural flavors, identical to natural and artificial, in order to make natural flavors, fruits, berries, leaves, flowers and other natural raw materials are used. Identical natural flavors are obtained when a small amount of chemically synthesized substances are added to a natural extract. Such flavors differ high quality and rich taste, while absolutely harmless to health.

These ingredients in certain proportions and concentrations do not pathologically affect the human body.

Popularly referred to as chewing gum, it is a lifesaver in Everyday life each 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 delighted with her. Some question chemical composition chewing gum. But is chewing gum really that bad?

History of origin

The origin of gum goes back to 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, brushed their teeth by chewing rubber and mastic resin. So these funds can be safely called the first prototypes of gum.

But the origin, which approximately resembled the real one, dates back to 1848. Of course, it is strikingly different from the modern one. The gum base, the composition - it was all rubber based. And she looked different.

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

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

His first gum was endowed with an elongated shape and licorice flavor, which, however, was short-lived. The problem was solved by adding sugar and corn syrup.

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

Adams was the creator of the first gum with fruity taste, the name of which By the way, this chewing gum is still produced to this day.

In 1892, the still famous Wrigley`s Spearmint gum appeared, the creator of which was William Wrigley. In addition, he improved technical production product - the gum itself, the composition has undergone changes: the shape has become expressed in the form of a plate or a ball, components such as powdered sugar, fruit additives.

Chewing gum chemical components

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

1. Sugar or sugar substitutes make up 60%.

2. Rubber - 20%.

3. Flavored ingredients - 1%.

4. Corn syrup for flavor extension - 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.

Such a 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.

The benefits of chewing gum

Although the use of gum causes a lot of controversy about its benefits and harms, nevertheless, this does not detract from its relevance. Chewing on this product brings benefits to humans.

• Chewing gum makes your breath fresh and pleasant.
• Chewing regularly helps to strengthen the 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.

Gum harm

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

• Regular use interferes with the normal production of saliva. Salivation increases quantitatively, and this is a negative deviation from the norm.
• Do not chew gum on an empty stomach. This can result in the production of gastric juice, which will irritate the stomach lining, ultimately leading to gastritis.
• While chewing gum strengthens your gums, it can also negatively affect your gums. The result can be impaired blood circulation, which will lead to their inflammation or periodontal disease.
• Recently, scientists have found that regular chewing of gum contributes to a delayed reaction and deterioration of mental abilities.
• If the teeth have fillings, chewing gum can cause them to fall out.
• Chemical carcinogenic substances have negative effects on the body, including can provoke the development various diseases... First of all, the gastrointestinal tract can be affected.

Chewing gum myths

Chewing gum is a popular product. Commercials claim every day 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 the usual advertising stunt?

Myth 1: Chewing gum will prevent tooth decay and remove food debris from your teeth. The plausibility of this statement is about 50 to 50. Of course, chewing gum will not protect against caries, but it is capable of removing 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, this is an empty advertising promise.

Myth 3: chewing gum will speed up the elimination excess weight... Many people believe that chewing gum reduces hunger, and accordingly, you want to eat less. But this is a delusion. In addition, you should not chew gum on an empty stomach.

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

"Orbits". What is inside?

"Orbit" is a chewing gum, the composition of which includes various artificial fillers. However, this manufacturer is quite famous, which explains the enormous popularity of the product he produces.

Having looked at the composition of the Orbit gum, which is indicated on the back of the package, you can see the following elements:

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

Various aromas, natural and artificial, which depend on the intended flavor of the gum.

Coloring substances: E171 - titanium dioxide, which gives the 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, glaze E903.

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

"Dirol": component composition

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

The composition of the Dirol chewing gum:

The gum base is polymer latex.

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

The flavoring additives depend on the intended flavor of the gum.

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

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

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 will subsequently negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract.

Citric acid is capable of provoking the formation of tumors.

Chewing gum "Eclipse"

The composition of the Eclipse chewing gum is as follows:

The base is latex.

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

The flavors are natural and identical to natural ones. They depend on the taste of the chewing gum.

Dyes - calcium carbonate 4%, E 171, a dye that gives blue color, E 132.

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

Chewing gum "Avalanche of freshness"

Avalanche of Freshness chewing gum is sold in the form of small balls and green.

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

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

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

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

It is difficult to find in the modern civilized world a person 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. Our ancestors most often used birch resin as chewing gum. Only at the end of the 19th century. began to chew natural rubber, adding various substances to it to improve the taste.

In 1928, the first commercially successful chewing gum, the 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 obtained 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?

1. Latex, the base of the gum, is considered harmless.
2. Fragrances (natural or identical to them, which can cause allergies).
3. Dyes (all kinds of E are far from harmless substances, many of them have carcinogenic properties).
4. Sweeteners (sugar promotes tooth decay, aspartame can cause headaches and nausea, sorbitol and xylitol are known laxatives).

Is there a benefit?

Undoubtedly, chewing gum should have some positive properties, otherwise its distribution and use is pointless. And she has such advantages. Firstly, chewing gum still helps to cleanse the teeth, which is loudly shouted by advertising. Chewing after meals improves the condition of the mouth, the texture of the gum helps the food debris to stick to it, and thus they are removed. Secondly, while chewing, saliva is actively produced - a natural tooth cleaner. The refreshing effect of gum is undeniable, however, it has a short-term effect, masking (if any), rather than eliminating the cause. The chewing process 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 it can be chewed for a long time and measured, bringing nerves in order. True, it is difficult to track the long-term effect of such anti-stress.

Is chewing gum a pest?

except positive properties, chewing gum and its misuse 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 begins, the basis of which is - hydrochloric acid... If this happens on an empty stomach, problems cannot be avoided, since the aggressive action of the acid is directed primarily at 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 work 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 dentures and braces, overloading of the periodontal tissues in case of periodontal disease - 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 far from positive effects.

Chewing and brain work

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

Culture and gum

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

Rules for using chewing gum

• Chewing gum should be used solely for oral hygiene after a meal, when there is no way to brush your teeth.
• You need to chew until the gum tastes good (about 5-10 minutes). This time is quite enough to remove food debris from the oral cavity.
• Do not use the gum on an empty stomach or when chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract.
• Buy quality chewing gum while avoiding third-world products.
• Do not use chewing gum for chronic gum disease, multiple fillings in the mouth, abnormal abrasion of teeth.

Popular representatives

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

Xylitol

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

To chew or not to chew?

The fashion for chewing gum in our country appeared in the 90s. last century and steadily entrenched among young people. To chew or not - it is up to everyone individually. It is worth remembering the rules for using gum and avoiding 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 your 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 in early age before promoting the formation of a bad chewing habit in your child.

Chewing gum has harmoniously entered the daily use of people on all continents, despite widespread rumors about its harm to human health. What caused such popularity? The commercials focus on useful properties chewing gum for teeth, but whether this is so, you can understand only by analyzing the composition of the product and the effect of individual components of the gum on the human body.

Chewing gum composition

The birthplace of the first rubber chewing gum, patented in 1869 by W. Semple, is America. However, archaeological finds indicate that a similar product was used even in Ancient Greece and the Middle East, only the basis of the gum was not rubber, but the resin of mastic trees. This gum was marketed in America, being the forerunner of modern chewing gum.

Then small pieces of pine resin were mixed with beeswax and were sold in portions. Perhaps, then, the harm of chewing gum was invisible to those who actively used it. Without synthetic polymers, flavor enhancers, preservatives, dyes, flavors, she was much more harmless than her contemporaries.

Over the years, the range of ingredients in chewing gum has evolved, adapting to the needs of consumers and striving to remain competitive. So, in 1880, its composition was enriched corn syrup and peppermint, and in 1898 Dr. E. Beeman tried to increase sales by adding pepsin powder and positioning chewing gum on the market as a remedy for gastrointestinal ailments.

However, there was no mention of the harmful effects of chewing gum. The version of its usefulness for the teeth appeared in 1899 thanks to W. Cunning, and has remained a favorite in terms of promoting trade to this day. However, the composition of the gum confirms the opposite.

The teeth and the gastrointestinal tract are also at risk. Neutralizing its negative effects, really only knowing how much you can chew gum, what time of day is most suitable for this.

Components

Chewing gum is based on rubber, latex and other synthetic polymers. They make up from 60% of the volume finished product... The negative effect of polymers on the human body has not been identified.

Glycerin (E422) - has the ability to draw water from tissues, therefore products with the addition of glycerin are contraindicated for people with kidney disease, cardio - vascular system... The opinion that there is very little glycerin in chewing gum is true, but do not forget that it is found in many other products: bread, sweets, cookies, marshmallows, cakes and even dairy products.

Many glycerin-containing foods can be harmful to health when consumed daily.

Butylhydroxyanisole (E320) is an antioxidant, preservative, antioxidant. The additive has been tested on animals and the product has been shown to be carcinogenic in large quantities. There is no such information about a person. In some cases, it acts as an anti-cancer agent, then as cancer-causing.

Citric acid (E330) - does not negative impact on the human body, and only large quantities getting on mucous membranes and skin can cause burns. But the amount of additive in the gum is not dangerous.

Emulsifier (E322) is produced on the basis of egg yolk... Serious harm to the body this additive can not cause, but people with a tendency to manifest allergic reactions products containing lecithin (E322) should be avoided.

Sweeteners:

1. Aspartame is a sugar substitute that doctors recommend to completely exclude from the diet. Regular intake of aspartame causes allergies, headaches, sleep disturbances, and mental depression. Aspartame cannot be washed off with saliva from the mouth, so the sweet taste in the mouth causes a constant feeling of thirst. Phenylalanine, a component of aspartame, disrupts chemical processes in the brain, affects work nervous system and hormonal background person.
2. Xylitol (E697), maltitol (E695) - relatively safe nutritional supplements, however, can cause gastrointestinal upset.
3. Sorbitol (E420) - emulsifier, sweetener, widely used in the production of products for patients diabetes mellitus... However, it cannot be called safe for human health, since long-term use of sorbitol-containing products leads to visual impairment, diabetic retinopathy, gastrointestinal tract disorders and flatulence. Sorbitol is prohibited for use in the manufacture of products. baby food, and in the USA it is classified as an additive hazardous to human health.

Titanium dioxide (E171) is used as a colorant that is most often used to give a snow-white color to chewing gum. On the one hand, there is no information about the dangers of this substance. But it is worth doubting its safety, because during experiments on rats, inhalation of titanium dioxide powder caused the development of cancer. In addition, a vegetable dye (E120) is used, which is an allergen.

This is an abbreviated list of the ingredients in chewing gum that are used in manufacturing to make it more appealing: ductility, better expandability for blowing bubbles, and unique taste... But with a complex effect on the body, they are capable of giving a number of negative manifestations.

Consequences of long-term use

The harm to the gum, caused both by its components and by the process of continuous chewing itself, is as follows:

V kindergarten or at home, the child can go to bed without removing the gum from his mouth. If it gets into the respiratory organs, it can lead to asphyxiation or consequences incompatible with life.

The disadvantages of chewing gum, which neutralize the usefulness of its use, include:

1. Short-term effect of improving the odor from the mouth, lasting only a few minutes.
2. Worse, chewing of short-term memory and expression of distraction.
3. Negative influence constant use chewing gum during the day for the condition of nails, hair, skin.
4. Along with the strengthening of the maxillofacial apparatus, an irregular bite can form in a child, caused by chewing, and teeth loosened.

Video: gum harm, composition - shock!

Usage rules and alternative to chewing gum

Despite the harm from chewing gum, if you do not have a toothbrush at hand, its use is permissible. And even then it is worth adhering to the rules for using gum:

• Chew gum not in between meals, but only strictly before meals or immediately after eating.
• Chewing gum can be chewed for no more than 5 minutes. Then the additional production of saliva and gastric juice will not harm the body.
• Do not swallow the gum after neutralizing its taste, do not throw it on the street in an unsuitable place for this.
• Choose chewing gum that is neutral in color, flavor and odor.

If possible, replace chewing gum with more natural products causing a similar effect:

1. Gummy marmalade, which is easy to make at home.
2. Coffee beans, which, when chewed, will permanently eliminate unpleasant odor in the mouth, destroying bacteria.
3. Mint and parsley leaves that can dull hunger, make your breath fresh and saturate the body with useful vitamins.

When using chewing gum, it is important to remember that everything must be done in moderation. If possible, it is worth replacing the gum with more natural products that can vitaminize the body, neutralize bacteria and refresh the oral cavity.