Khaberni - A century ago, there was a belief in commercial advertisements that "gum" was more of a "nerve calmer" than a means of refreshing the breath, and now this claim is resurfacing, supported by recent scientific research.
In the past five years, the gum industry has taken a hard hit starting with "Covid-19," where sales in the United States fell by about a third, and classic brands like "Fruit Stripe" disappeared from the market, yet the companies did not give up, but completely changed their narrative: "Gum is no longer a fleeting pleasure, but a means to calm the mind, combat anxiety, and improve concentration," according to "National Geographic."
What does science say?
Recent research does not grant gum the status of "miracle," but it does not deny its effects, as studies indicate that while chewing gum does not make us smarter or significantly boost memory, it does raise levels of alertness and reduce stress for many.
In turn, British psychologist Andrew Smith from Cardiff University, who has spent about 15 years studying this behavior, confirms that chewing gum increases sustained attention by almost 10%, while Crystal Haskell-Ramsey, a professor of biological psychology at Northumbria University, finds its benefits more apparent during long or tedious tasks, and less so for those naturally highly focused.
As for stress, the evidence is clearer, as people who chewed gum during presentation pitches showed lower stress levels compared to others.
In a study conducted in 2022, anxiety decreased among women who chewed gum before undergoing elective surgeries, yet researchers agree that gum is not a magic solution, and it does not benefit in cases of severe anxiety.
The mystery of chewing: Why do we like gum?
The deeper question remains: "Why do we like chewing gum in the first place?" despite it having no nutritional value, and we continue to chew it even after its flavor has gone.
In this regard, several studies offer explanations such as increased blood flow to the brain during chewing, activation of facial muscles linked to alertness, distraction from sources of stress, or effects on the body's response system to psychological stress.
An ancient habit
Interestingly, chewing sticky substances is a practice deeply rooted in history, as archaeologists in Scandinavian countries have found gum made from birch bark resin dating back about 8,000 years, bearing teeth marks, presumably chewed by children for enjoyment.
The ancient Greeks, Native Americans, and the Maya also knew similar substances, such as "chicle," which later became the basis of modern gum manufacturing.
Some scientists believe that chewing is a calming innate behavior also practiced by animals when stressed, while others, like evolutionary biomechanics scientist Adam van Casteren, suggest that humans evolved to chew less rather than more, but the repetitive movements remained appealing to the human mind.
