The hidden benefits of chewing gum
Let's get this out of the way: Chewing gum in public or on the telephone is rude. Really rude. Don't do it.
But in private? Well there might be some benefits, especially if you choose sugar-free gum.
A new study shows that chewing gum can help people stay focused longer on tasks that require steady monitoring. It can also improve concentration in visual memory tasks.
A Cardiff University study, published in the British Journal of Psychology, found that gum chewers had quicker reaction times, more accurate results, and longer concentration.
In 2009, researchers found that gum increased blood flow to the brain, which may be the reason for increased alertness in gum chewers.
Sugary gum is bad for the teeth, but sugar-free varieties can help limit plaque buildup and clean teeth, if you absolutely can't brush, researchers said.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.