By: Jennifer Wielgus
phillyBurbs.com
The folks at Wrigley’s and “The Biggest Loser” suggest chewing Extra sugar-free gum to combat food cravings. But like anything else, it appears that you can have too much of a good thing.
I guess we should have learned that from Violet Beauregard on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” but oh well…
I guess we should have learned that from Violet Beauregard on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” but oh well…
I searched for possible dangers of chewing too much sugar-free gum, and I unearthed a bunch of articles on the subject. Here’s one, for example. And here’s another. And another. Apparently, research has shown that sorbitol, a common additive in Extra and other sugar-free products can cause digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.
I chew a lot of gum, and yes, Extra is my brand of choice. I do notice that it tends to make me feel gassy, but I thought that was just from swallowing air while chewing.
Just goes to show, once again, that a happy medium in all things must be achieved for you to enjoy total health and wellness. Chewing some gum=OK. Chewing 30 pieces a day=Not.
January 14, 2009 1:01 PM
