Health Conscious Aussies Should Keep Chewing Gum in Time for Summer

New research finds chewing gum can help reduce kilojoule intake and increase energy expenditure

Australians looking to manage their weight before they hit the beach this summer might want to consider chewing sugar-free gum between meals. The findings of a study by the University of Rhode Island (URI) shows chewing sugar-free gum between meals may help reduce kilojoule intake at meal times and increase energy expenditure.

The study, presented yesterday at the Obesity Society Annual Meeting in Washington DC, showed that when study subjects chewed gum for a total of one hour in the morning (in three 20 minute gum chewing sessions), they consumed 286 fewer kilojoules at lunch and did not compensate by eating more later in the day. Participants also reported feeling less hungry as compared to when they did not chew gum.

The study was undertaken at the University of Rhode Island by Dr Kathleen Melanson, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Melanson also found that when her subjects chewed gum before and after eating, they expended about five percent more energy than when they did not chew gum. In addition, her subjects reported feeling more energetic after chewing gum.

According to the URI researcher, nerves in the muscles of the jaw are stimulated by the motion of chewing and send signals to the appetite section of the brain that is linked to satiety, which may explain why the act of chewing might help to reduce hunger.

Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia, said, “this study shows that chewing sugar-free gum between meals can help the body burn more kilojoules, and may help reduce feelings of hunger in between meals. The secret to sustained weight loss is making consistent long term changes that help reduce kilojoule intake, and where possible, increase energy expenditure. Even small changes that are made consistently over the long term can make a difference. We know from previous studies that chewing sugar-free gum after lunch can help reduce the desire to snack on sweet foods in the afternoon. This new study adds further to this by showing that chewing gum may also help reduce kilojoule intake at a meal, she said.

“The study showed that despite consuming fewer kilojoules at lunch, participants did not report greater hunger and did not compensate by increasing their kilojoule intake later in the day.

“This research, and previous research shows that sugar free gum could be a useful tool in a weight management program that also includes a healthy eating plan and regular exercise,” said Natoli.

This research complements results of a national consumer survey which found that over half (62 percent) of Australians said they would like to reduce their hunger levels and over two thirds (70 percent) wish they were less tempted by sweet snacks.

Sharon Natoli, continued, “for those wanting to lose weight, chewing sugar-free gum as part of a healthy, balanced, kilojoule controlled diet, including regular exercise and stress management, may be a useful adjunct for people who struggle with sweet snacking. It may also help some people reduce kilojoule intake at meal times which in turn can help them manage their weight over the longer term.”

About the Study

In this randomised crossover study, 33 volunteers (17 men and 16 women between the ages of 18-48 years old, with a body mass index (BMI) range of 19.1-29.1) served as their own controls, participating individually in both a gum chewing and non gum chewing condition. In the gum chewing condition, participants chewed Wrigley sugar-free gum for a total of one hour in the morning. The three 20-minute chewing sessions included one in the morning, after a 10-hour overnight fast; and twice postprandially (after a meal) for 20 minutes between a standardised breakfast (a breakfast shake proportional to participants’ energy needs) and an ‘ad libitum’ (amount consumed according to the subjects’ choice) lunch, which consisted of macronutrient content representative of a typical meal.

* Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry (with SensorMedics' Vmax) the morning after a 10-hour fast and three hours after eating breakfast.

* Lunch intake was measured by the weighed difference between the food given to participants and the amount that was left on their plates.

* Participants were also tested, by use of visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings, on how they perceived their appetite and mood.

* Subjects maintained a free-living food diary the rest of the day, and completed an end-of-day mood visual analogue scale

The research was supported by an unrestricted grant from the Wrigley Science Institute™.

Babynews Release Date: 17th November 2009

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