However, after years of trying literally every healthy gum I could get my hands on (trust me: people send me new gums to try all the time, since it's now no secret I'm a gum aficionado), I’ve discovered some pretty incredible gum options that are not only free of nasty ingredients but actually contain super useful and unique formulas that can do everything from improving your immune system to boosting your mental focus, and even serving as a unique delivery mechanism for potent anti-aging compounds. Not only are these substances definitely not something anyone in their right mind wants swirling around their precious mouth and draining down the back of their throat, eventually seeping into the bloodstream, but they can also potentially undo many of the health benefits of chewing gum. See, most gums in grocery stores are chock-full of artificial sweeteners and flavoring, food coloring, dyes, and even cavity-inducing sugar. I've written in the past about how ancient Vikings chomped down on leather straps during battle so they could clench their teeth better and resist pain, and so even my gum chewing during exercise is arguably an ancient bad-ass European intensity tactic, right?īut if you’re not careful with your gum choices, you’re probably doing more harm than good-or perhaps missing out on some of the newer, ultra-healthy gum options out there. It tastes good, satiates my appetite, helps me focus, and keeps my breath oh-so-fresh.įrom a physiological standpoint, though, chewing gum also has many health benefits, such as strengthening your jaw, increasing salivary enzyme production ( my former podcast guest Dean Karnazes talked about how he chomped on Greek mastic gum for much of his run across the Spartan marathon course in Greece, to keep his mouth salivated and appetite satiated), promoting a healthy oral environment, and cleaning your teeth. In fact, other than, of course, sitting down to eat a meal or record a podcast, there is rarely a moment when I’m not chewing on some kind of gummy-gooey goodness. Heck, I've been halfway through a meditation session sometimes before I realize I've still got gum in my mouth. If you see me on a video, working out, sometimes even recording a podcast, out in public at a speaking event, ambling about a conference, or just walking down the street, chances are, I will be chomping on a piece of gum. Ready to get chewing on some more natural, xylitol gums? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite picks.I’m a bit of a gum chewer- probably a well-above-average chomping enthusiast compared to the general population. (Unless you have a dog, since xylitol can be very poisonous to pups, so be sure to keep it well away from Fido.) It has also been found to potentially help prevent tooth decay and the buildup of plaque, which makes chewing on xylitol gum a no-brainer. The carbohydrate is found in birch trees and other fruit and is nearly as sweet as sugar but with fewer calories. Then there’s xylitol, the sugar-free alternative commonly used to sweeten gum. ![]() ![]() Isomalt is derived from pure beet sugar maltitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits and vegetables mannitol is also found in some produce and is widely used as a diuretic stevia is made from the leaves of the stevia plant sorbitol is found naturally in berries and fruit like peaches and plums. There are lots of natural sugar alternatives out there to consider. ![]() When shopping, be sure to look for brands that steer clear of artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which has been linked to heart disease and can lead to obesity. If you’re looking to cut back on sugar while opting for a more natural chew, the good news is that nowadays there are plenty of purer gum options out there on the market.
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