If you were a high schooler in the 90s chances are you have witnessed someone chewing gum in class or doing it yourself if you were me. Just sliding it from one side to another and chewing it all the day. So, what was it that made you do it?? Why chew gum? 

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When chewing a gum, it increases the flow of saliva in your mouth.  If we chew after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth.

Studies have proved that if you chew sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after the meals you can actually prevent tooth decay. Unlike any other kind of food, chewing doesn’t really disintegrate into fragments with chewing and maintains its shape. One chewing can last you the whole day, and thus it’s a great way to keep yourself busy and pass time. 

In contrary to the popular belief and what your elders might have told you, chewing isn’t bad for your health other than being a great way to pass time, chewing helps reduce stress. 

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For some people, chewing your fingernails may be a habit and replacing those habits with chewing gum can help reduce cortisol (also known as the stress hormone) in a way that doesn't leave you with slobbery jagged fingernails.

It even boosts your memory (now you can call your teacher and ask for the explanation). Improvement in mental performance while chewing gum has been studied several times, showing increases in cognitive function, including concentration, memory, and reaction times. Chewing helps speed up blood circulation in the brain, thus, raising oxygen levels and helping brain carry out functions better.

It is also good for your teeth!! Chewing sugarless gum can reduce gingivitis and cavities, and increase tooth enamel by improving your saliva flow and decreasing acidity in your mouth. American dentists have studied and recommend us to chew gum for 20 minutes after each meal to keep out teeth whiter.

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And if you are one those fast food junkies then chewing gum can be the gates that shut down those horrible habits. Chewing gum is a low calorie "snack" that can help stave off cravings as well as help with the oral fixation that can make you feel hungrier than you are.

Lastly, if you are prone to nausea and heartburn chewing gum can prove to be an excellent solution. Both nausea and heartburn can mess with your throat and how your mouth handles the saliva you produce. Chewing gum resets the flow, reducing acid in the stomach and removing that sick lump in your throat and help improve saliva flow as well. 

However, you look at it, chewing gum actually does more harm than good. The misconception surrounding chewing gums for the last decade might have some truth to it but most of it has been proven wrong in recent times.