Diet and Weight Management

When it comes to managing weight, every kilojoule counts. Experts say that even small decreases in kilojoule intake can have a big impact in the long-term, so chewing a 16kJ tab of EXTRA^® sugarfree gum instead of reaching for a high-kilojoule snack can be an effective way to reduce kilojoule intake.

Chewing Sugarfree Gum can Help Curb Your Sweet Tooth

As many of us continue to battle the bulge, new research confirms that chewing sugarfree gum significantly suppresses sweet snack cravings and helps curb kilojoule intake.

The study, presented at the recent American Society for Nutrition (ASN) Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2009 shows that people who chew gum after a meal significantly reduced their desire to eat sweet snacks compared to those who did not chew. The gum-chewing cohort experienced a reduction in energy intake of 160kj compared to those who did not chew².

The study is significant in that it is the third study of kind, contributing to a growing body of evidence investigating the potential role of chewing gum in appetite control. Initial research published in Appetite showed that chewing gum before snacking can help reduce hunger, diminish cravings for sweets, and decrease snack intake by 36 calories. The researchers suggest that chewing gum can suppress appetite, specifically for sweets, and reduce overall snack intake.^2,3

¹ Geiselman PJ, Martin CK, Coulon S,.Ryan DH, and Apperson M, Short-Term Effects of Chewing Gum on Specific Macronutrient and Total Calorie Intake. ASN Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2009. New Orleans, LA. April 2009.

² Hetherington MM, Boyland E. "Short term effects of chewing gum on snack intake and appetite." Appetite. 2007; 48(3):397-401.101.3

³ Hetherington MM, Regan MF. Effect of chewing gum on short-term appetite control and reduced snack intake in moderately restrained eaters. Obesity. 2007; 15: 510-P