Could gum make your kids smarter?
Anyone remember when they were told that chewing gum will stay in your stomach for seven years after it was swallowed? That might be widely known as a myth, but there?s general consensus amongst people that gum generally isn?t much good for your body and is usually something that isn?t consider part of a healthy diet.
However, while chewing gum may not be the next new miracle food in terms of making you thin or preventing heart disease, a new study has found that chewing gum that can lead to better academic performance in schools ? an interesting discovery considering the vast majority of schools across the country ban chewing gum from classrooms.
A test performed in Texas, United States took over 100 students and separated them into those allowed to chew gum during homework and tests, and those who were not. The gum chewers did better academically seeing an average 3% rise in math test scores and better final grades. Teachers also believed that students? chewing gum paid more attention in class and were less disruptive.
?Chewing gum is an easy tool students can use for a potential academic edge.? Claimed lead researcher on the study, Craig Johnston PhD.
Don?t be too quick to hand loads of gum over to your children yet though ? the research was funded by Wrigley Science Institute. Wrigley is one the biggest producers of chewing gum in the world. Marion Nestle PhD, Nutritionist at New York University, was quick to find fault in the studies: ?Sponsored studies almost invariably produce results favourable to the economic interests of the sponsor. [They] are always designed in ways that fail to control for alternative explanations for the results?
There is however plenty of non-industry funded research that proves that chewing gum after meals can seriously reduce the threat of tooth decay and that chewing sugar free gum may help you control your weight by providing an alternative to snacking. Even if it doesn?t, you can still lose an impressive 11 calories just chewing gum for an hour.