Sugar Alcohols

[Menna]

How do sugar alcohols impact the body are they just empty calories or do they have the same effect as real sugar. I chew sugarless gum from time to time and would like to know if it would be important to stop or if it doesn't really matter     

[Jerry]

How do sugar alcohols impact the body are they just empty calories or do they have the same effect as real sugar. I chew sugarless gum from time to time and would like to know if it would be important to stop or if it doesn't really matter   

FYI - with the exception of Bazooka Joe, all chewing gum, regular and sugarless, contain Aspartame.  A search here may convince you to stop chewing gum forever.

[anart]

How do sugar alcohols impact the body are they just empty calories or do they have the same effect as real sugar. I chew sugarless gum from time to time and would like to know if it would be important to stop or if it doesn't really matter   

FYI - with the exception of Bazooka Joe, all chewing gum, regular and sugarless, contain Aspartame.  A search here may convince you to stop chewing gum forever.

There are several xylitol chewing gums that do not contain aspartame.

[Odyssey]

Aside from the aspartame or xylitol issue the problem with chewing gum is tricking your body into thinking that food is on the way when it's not.   Your body gets all prepped for food, releasing enzymes and such and nothing happens.  Seems like kind of a waste of bodily energy.  I'd read something about this before but forget where but I just found this doing a quick search:

Published: December 20, 2008

Op-Ed Contributor
The Ill Effects of Chewing Gum
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 10Email3 2Stumble2ShareThis97By Michael Torchia


Though it's hard to imagine, chewing gum is one of the oldest candies in the world! For thousands of years, people of all cultures have enjoyed chewing gum without realizing the dangers that can occur to their bodies, especially with gums containing artificial flavoring.

*History*

Many years ago, archaeologists made a surprising discovery! It seems prehistoric men and women chewed on lumps of tree resin for pure enjoyment, making them the first-ever gum chewers in recorded history. The study of man has also found that almost every culture chomped "gum." Ancient Greeks routinely gnawed on tree resin to clean their teeth and freshen their breath, and called their treat "mastiche." Indians chewed on the sap from trees. The Maya Indians of Central America gummed chicle. Early settlers bit into hardened tree sap and beeswax.

Everyday, we can see people chewing gum, but why do people chew gum? So I decided to find out why and to perform an independent study on whether there are any benefits or dangers. After polling hundreds of people, the most common reason are the following; bad breathe prevention, stress release, weight management, increases concentration and even alertness. When I reviewed their answers, it was clear to me that people were trying to out smart Mother Nature... but at what cost?

*Dangers*

Our bodies were never designed to be constantly chewing and there are significant neurological mechanisms in the chewing process. When you chew, your brain thinks it is going to get food and secretes digestive enzymes, such as Amylase in the mouth to break down carbohydrates. This is the first stage of digestion. It then signals the gastrointestinal track and pancreas to secrete more enzymes, such as Protease and Lipase in preparation for what it believes to be food coming down that needs to be digested. This is the normal process by which protein and fat are broken down. This unnatural process can cause bloating.

Hormone imbalances occur, due to our digestive system being controlled and regulated by our autonomic nervous system, such as insulin and cortisol being secreted. The stomach then starts producing Hydrochloric Acid. This can't be used and can create potential digestive dysfunction, such as Acid Reflux Ulcers and Bruxism (teeth grinding and clinching).

Biomechanical imbalances like forward head posture, which is a result of excessive chewing can strain the cervical vertebrae causing the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae to compensate, making one hip or shoulder lower than the other. TMJ can also occur as well as headaches and since most people chew on one side, asymmetry faces. Gums containing artificial flavoring and other toxic chemicals can lead to a long list of adverse consequences. *The bottom line is, you shouldn't chew gum!*

michael@operationfitness.com

I remember when I used to chew gum it would sometimes give me a stomach ache especially if I chewed on an empty stomach.  Now it makes sense why.

Edit: addition

[Menna]

Ok thank you looks like I should kick the gum habbit...Would sucking on a mint be a better choice being that you arent chewing and less toxic cemicals? and do sugar alcohols affect the body the same way sugar does?

[voyageur]

Just adding to what was said about synthetic sugars, this one I had not heard about.

Many sugar-free chewing gums contain a sweetener called sorbitol. Sorbitol is a laxative which is poorly absorbed by the small intestine. An article in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ) warns of the dangers of excess sorbitol intake.

_http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/93769.php

Not sure about the mint, however, do recall a thread on this in the Health section, osit, that might be useful.

[Jason (ocean59)]

Very interesting, I had not read such things about gum before.

It makes me wonder, how this could relate to teeth grinding? When I was a child, my mom told me that I would sometimes grind my teeth during sleep (she could hear it). I have also met people who had teeth grinding issues (and also many stimulant drug abusers have this issue). Perhaps there is something more to this automatic reaction in some people? Like the body is having a hard time breaking something down, and needs to secrete more enzymes or some such...perhaps also this could lead people to chew gum, when additional support is needed (I'm thinking about the SAD diet that so many are on these days).

Obviously, the toxic chemicals are super bad, but perhaps there is another reason 'chewing gum' has been so popular throughout the ages, and perhaps it is not entirely bad?

[Menna]

Thinking about it I do believe it is troublesome especially on an empty stomach I get a mild pain and gargaling in my stomach but if I chew right after a meal for a little bit I don't get the negative physical effects as I believe the stomach acids are already present from the food and on empty they are being released and have nothing to break down...Now that can't be healthy

Trident gum says that it helps prevent cavitys and I think it has the safer type of artificial sugars will stick with that brand on occasion after a meal

[anart]

Trident gum says that it helps prevent cavitys and I think it has the safer type of artificial sugars will stick with that brand on occasion after a meal

Coca Cola says it's refreshing.   Why would you believe what Trident gum says about itself????

[NewOrleans]

As for soft drinks, there's one called ZEVIA. It contains no sugars and zero calories. What it does have is stevia, a botanical sweetner. (The only problem is that stevia increases urination.) 

[Data]

It makes me wonder, how this could relate to teeth grinding? When I was a child, my mom told me that I would sometimes grind my teeth during sleep (she could hear it).

I also found myself grinding my teeth during waking up recently, but I haven't used chewing gums for many years.

[Jerry]

Thinking about it I do believe it is troublesome especially on an empty stomach I get a mild pain and gargaling in my stomach but if I chew right after a meal for a little bit I don't get the negative physical effects as I believe the stomach acids are already present from the food and on empty they are being released and have nothing to break down...Now that can't be healthy

Trident gum says that it helps prevent cavitys and I think it has the safer type of artificial sugars will stick with that brand on occasion after a meal

The artificial sweetener in Trident gum is sucralose, which is held suspect because of a lack of credible testing and the fact that it is chlorinated sugar.  Chlorine's ill affect on health has been substantiated for quite some time.

[wetroof]

the two sugar alcohols I have heard about is xylitol and malitol. the main positive I hear is that it does not raise blood glucose levels. Although it may be broken down into sugar (glucose) and released into the blood-stream at a much slower rate. I'm not sure about that.

One thing potentially to be concerned about, is that it sugar alcohols do bind to the sweet taste receptors in the mouth. Dr. Kruse is says this is sending mixed signals to a winter adapted human... I have not really looked into this though. but sounds interesting.

[Foxx]

I wonder if the teeth grinding and feeling a need for chewing gum could be related to a magnesium deficiency?

[anart]

I wonder if the teeth grinding and feeling a need for chewing gum could be related to a magnesium deficiency?

Teeth grinding is definitely related to magnesium deficiency - or can be - there are other causes as well, from what I understand.