Which sugar-free gum is the healthiest?
As part of our healthy lifestyle, we try to eat responsibly ie organic, non GMO, natural… and of course we only chew sugar- free gum.
We dentists recommend chewing gum because it increases the salivary flow in the mouth. Especially if chewed after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on teeth. But are all sugar free gums created equal? Not really.
Aspartame
Most conventional sugar-free gum uses an artificial sweetener called Aspartame, which does make food taste awesome, no doubt. Though counter intuitively, studies are linking these chemicals to weight gain!
Xylitol
Here’s the deal. The healthier options taste great, but that taste doesn’t last long. This is because they use alternative sweeteners like xylitol, which can have healthy benefits such as decreasing your cavities. But unfortunately it tends to lose flavor after a short time.
The consistency also tends to fall apart after a short while … the reason for that is that the brands we’re more familiar with use plastic! Most gum brands you’re familiar with contain synthetic rubbers, emulsifiers, the controversial preservative BHT and plastic called polyvinyl acetate.
There is no great substitute for the proprietary ‘gum base’ and that is why the healthiest brands simply don’t taste good for very long.
Be a savvy label reader
Also, if you’re going clean, beware! Many gum brands market themselves as “healthy” and use xylitol instead of Aspartame or sugar, but use fool coloring and other chemicals you may not want to chew on.
Becoming a savvy label reader, able to weed through confusing ingredient lists is always a great tool! The real answer boils down to your comfort level and tolerance to sacrifice taste and flavor for a clear conscience health-wise.
I hope this answered your questions! Please feel free to reach out with more!
