Chewing gum is a pastime that many people have enjoyed for a large number of years. Chewing gum can help many people to break harmful habits, such as smoking or drinking. Smoking can also be useful to many people by using it to curb issues such as stress or anxiety. There are even cases in which many top-level athletes have been caught chewing gum while performing, citing the fact that they always chew gum while performing. Regardless of whether or not you are a regular gum chewer or not, we believe that there are some basic facts that all people who use gum should know about. This includes the fact that some harmful ingredients may be present in your chewing gum that you were previously unaware of. This article seeks to build awareness about the dangers that chewing gum can impose, and the potential alternatives which you can explore.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a common ingredient found in many types of chewing gum these days. It is mostly prevalent in types of gum that are branded as ‘sugar-free’, since it is a common replacement for sugar or other sweeteners. Aspartame is particularly dangerous because when your body metabolizes the chemical then it converts it into many harmful by-products. Some of these byproducts are known to cause cancer and many other long term negative effects. If you can not eat sugar then consider some organic alternatives such as stevia or even honey! These can give you the sweetness you desire without the harmful effects of aspartame.
Plastic
One thing that many people do not consider about their gum is what exactly gives it the characteristic chewiness that draws people to gum in the first place? There are many different types of materials that can be used for gum to give it that chewiness we all love. These ingredients are often referred to as the ‘gum base’. The base is often made of plastic-like substances such as paraffin wax, or other types of fillers. These fillers are sometimes derived from petroleum-based products and are consequently carcinogenic to humans. This means that through prolonged exposure these substances can cause adverse health effects such as cancer or other chronic ailments. In order to avoid these harmful substances, there are alternatives that the experts of https://www.trvst.world/action/choose-plastic-free-chewing-gum/ can provide information on. By choosing plastic-free gum base alternatives then you will be able to rest easy knowing that what should be a harmless, fun habit is not putting you at risk for cancer or other bad diseases. This will allow you to continue chewing gum and enjoying whatever exactly the pastime does for you. There is no reason to risk your health when there are viable alternatives available.
Preservatives
In many types of gum, preservatives are added in order to extend the shelf life of their product. For this reason, many high end chewing gums do not have an indefinite shelf life, like some chewing gums which are loaded with preservatives. When ingested, these preservatives can cause long term negative health issues such as cancer. Similar to fast foods and packaged goods, preservatives in gum are fine once in a while, but you should always be conscious of what you eat.
Whiteners
Some gum products contain whiteners that are supposed to help whiten your teeth as you chew the gum. While the concept is nice, many of these whiteners can cause issues when ingested, as they are not intended to be ingested. Some of these chemicals can build up over time and cause you issues down the road if you are a frequent or regular user. Always be careful and research any potential health effects of chemicals present in your chewing gum. It will only take minutes but add years to your life.
Hopefully this article has been helpful and informative regarding the different ingredients found in some types of chewing gum that can be harmful to your long term health. By being aware of the risks associated with chewing gum, then you can choose to either continue chewing gum while knowing the potential damage you are causing your body, or you can seek healthier and less dangerous alternatives. There are always some people who do not want to change and will continue regardless of the associated risks, such as people who smoke. However, there are also some people who would prefer to take the healthy route, and those people should continue to research while also implementing the various tips and tricks mentioned in this article in order to be as informed as possible.
