Chewing gum helps lower calorie intake and reduce cravings for sweet snacks - study

WHAT: New research from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana State University shows the potential role of Extra® sugar-free gum in helping to control appetite, decrease calorie intake and reduce snack cravings.i Primary outcomes include:

  • Chewing Extra sugar-free gum significantly reduced intake of an afternoon snack by 40 calories.
  • Chewing Extra sugar-free gum specifically reduced sweet snack intake by 60 calories.
  • When participants chewed gum, hunger, desire to eat and sweet snack cravings were significantly suppressed between lunch and an afternoon snack as compared to when they did not chew gum.
  • When participants chewed gum, they reported that their energy levels were maintained between lunch and an afternoon snack, and were significantly less drowsy as compared to when they did not chew gum during this same timeframe.

Overall, this study demonstrates the role of chewing gum in helping to decrease calorie intake from an afternoon snack, controlling appetite and reducing snack cravings. Nutritionists report that even small changes in caloric intake can have a significant impact in the long term. This research study supports the role of chewing sugar-free gum as an easy, practical tool for helping to manage snack intake and reducing sweet snack cravings.

WHO: Paula J. Geiselman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana State University, led the research study and can discuss the potential role of chewing gum on appetite control and snack food cravings.

Gilbert Leveille, Ph.D., Executive Director, Wrigley Science Institute, will also be available to discuss study findings and research on the Benefits of Chewing gum related to weight management and other areas including oral health, stress relief, and focus, alertness and concentration.

WHEN: Research will be presented at the Food Intake Regulation Minisymposium at the American Society for Nutrition Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2009 on Sunday, April 19, 10:30 – 12:30 CDT; Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA. Drs Geiselman and Leveille are available for interviews.

WRIGLEY SCIENCE INSTITUTE™:

Wrigley is committed to advancing and sharing scientific research that explores the Benefits of Chewing gum. The Wrigley Science Institute works with independent researchers at leading institutions around the world to learn more about the potential health and wellness Benefits of Chewing gum. The Wrigley Science Institute's current work is focused on exploring the impact of chewing gum in four key scientific areas: focus, alertness and concentration; situational stress; weight management and appetite; and oral health.

i 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.