Chewing too much “sugar-free” gum can lead to severe weight loss and bowel problems, doctors are warning. Show
Many “sugar-free” products such as chewing gum and sweets contain a sweetener called sorbitol. It is a sugar alcohol with around a third fewer calories than sucrose, or table sugar. However, the substance can have laxative effects if taken in large enough amounts – a fact that many people are unaware of because potential side-effects are usually listed in small print on the packaging, say the researchers. The warning comes after Herbert Lochs, a gastroenterologist at Charite Universitatsmedizin in Berlin, Germany, and colleagues were referred two cases of patients with excessive diarrhoea and weight loss. Both had been investigated extensively by other doctors who could find no cause for their conditions. AdvertisementAfter numerous tests with the first patient, a 21-year-old woman, Lochs measured her stool electrolytes. It appeared that something in the gut was drawing out large amounts of water, which led to the weight loss and diarrhoea. She had up to 12 episodes of diarrhoea a day. Quick recoveryWhen questioned about her diet, the woman admitted to chewing large amounts of gum every day. Each stick contains about 1.25g of sorbitol. The team worked out she was exposing herself to 18-20g of sorbitol per day. The second patient, a 46 year old man, told the team he chewed 20 sticks of gum a day and ate up to 200g of sweets – a consumption of 30g of sorbitol daily. Only relatively small amounts of sorbitol (5 to 20g) are needed to cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating and gas. Higher doses (20-50g) are linked to malabsorption of nutrients, malnutrition, and substantial weight loss. When both patients began a sorbitol-free diet, their diarrhoea went away and both gained weight. This was not before significant cost to the health service though, notes Professor Lochs. Diabetic warning“This could have saved a lot of money if it had been found earlier on,” he says. The study highlights the importance of examining a patient’s diet in cases of unexplained weight loss. Sorbitol is put into many dietetic products for diabetics as an alternative to glucose, adds Lochs. He says that sorbitol might sometimes add to bowel problems, which are associated with diabetes. Diabetes UK points out it does not recommend “diabetic” foods to people with the condition. “Sorbital is often used in foods labelled ‘diabetic’ such as chocolates, sweets, and biscuits. As these foods tend to be ‘treat’ foods and have no sugar some people may think that it’s fine to eat large quantities,” notes Jemma Edwards, a dietitian for the charity. “We don’t recommend these foods because there are no added nutritional benefits and they are often more expensive.” Journal reference: British Medical Journal (DOI: 10.1136/bmj.39280.657350.BE) Sugar-free gum does not have any sugar in it. The taste is added using sweeteners, and therefore the gum does not cause tooth decay. The gum releases its
flavours over a period of time, just like ordinary gum. Chewing sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth and gums in between meals when it may not be possible to brush with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Your teeth are more at risk of acid attack after you have eaten. The acid is produced by plaque bacteria, and the sugars in our food and drink, and it slowly dissolves away the enamel and dentine of the tooth, to produce a hole or ‘cavity'. (Plaque is the thin, sticky film that keeps forming on your teeth. It contains many types of bacteria which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.) You can reduce this acid attack by chewing sugar-free gum, as it helps the mouth
to produce more saliva - the mouth's natural defence against acid. Dental erosion is caused by the acids in the things we eat and drink, such as citrus fruit, fruit juices and fizzy drinks. These start to eat into the enamel covering the teeth, and remove some of the minerals making up the enamel. By
helping us make more saliva, chewing sugar-free gum can also help to reduce this type of acid attack. It takes the saliva about an hour to replace the minerals that the enamel has lost. Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating or drinking can increase the flow of saliva, and help replace the minerals more quickly. See the diagram below. It shows how your tooth enamel is at risk from acid attack after food and drink, and how long it takes the acid level in the mouth to return to the safe zone. pH is the measure of acidity, with levels below 5.5 being acid enough to soften tooth enamel. Chewing sugar-free gum after eating can quickly lower the amount of acid that attacks the teeth. Can chewing sugar-free gum help with dry mouth and bad breath?Dry mouth and bad breath are often caused by a reduced saliva flow. When you chew sugar-free gum your mouth makes more saliva and the symptoms of dry mouth and bad breath may be reduced. What is Xylitol and where does it come from?Xylitol is a natural sweetener and is found in some berries, fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. It has a sweetness equal to that of sugar. Xylitol is usually made from birch bark. Why is Xylitol especially good for my teeth?Xylitol helps to prevent plaque bacteria sticking to the teeth. Studies have shown that xylitol can help reduce tooth decay and even help reverse the decay itself by helping to replace the minerals in tooth enamel. When should I chew sugar-free gum?It is best to chew soon after eating. Chewing for up to twenty minutes increases the flow of saliva, speeding up the time that it takes for saliva to cancel out the acid. Remember that plaque starts to form again within half an hour of cleaning your teeth. How many times a day can you chew?It is recommended to chew sugar free gum after eating and drinking on the go. Is sugar-free gum safe to use for children?We do not recommend that children under the age of seven chew gum. But this is something for parents to decide. Is sugar-free gum suitable for vegetarians?Some chewing gums can contain animal glycerine and are not suitable for vegetarians. However, most sugar-free gums now only contain a type of non-animal glycerine and are suitable for vegetarians. Can I chew sugar-free gum if I have dentures or braces?People with certain types of dentures may find that sugar-free gum sticks to the teeth and palate of the denture. Sugar-free gum is not recommended if you have a brace. Do I still need to brush my teeth if I've used chewing gum?Yes. You will still need to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss at least once a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Is there a difference between the gum sticks and gum pellets?The main difference between sticks and pellets is the size. Pellets tend to be smaller than sticks so they may be better for children and people with smaller mouths. What happens if I swallow the gum?There is no evidence that swallowing gum is harmful. Swallowed gum will pass through your system like any other food, although it may take a little longer. How should I get rid of my sugar-free gum?Sugar-free gum can make a mess just like ordinary gum if you drop it on the floor or stick it to a surface. Wrap it and then put it in a bin. Can sugar-free gum whiten my teeth?Some sugar-free chewing gums have a ‘whitening' claim. Although these products cannot lighten the natural colour of your teeth, they may help to lessen any staining which could build-up on your teeth due to smoking, or drinking red wine or coffee. People who viewed this page also visited
Is chewing sugarChewing sugarless gum has been shown to increase the flow of saliva, thereby reducing plaque acid, strengthening the teeth and reducing tooth decay. American Dental Association.
How much sugarWhile some may experience tummy troubles after chewing just a few sticks, others might be able to plow through a pack of gum with no ill effects. Generally, though, you're entering the gum danger zone if you start chewing about twenty pieces a day.
Is it OK to chew gum all day everyday?Chewing gum on a regular basis as a habit can also lead to excessive wear on the tooth enamel, and even lead to changes in your bite alignment. Specifically, the upper molars may spread apart gradually, while the lower molars begin to gradually drift backward leading to an overbite.
Is sugarThat said, it is unlikely you are addicted to sugar-free gum. You can develop the habit of having something in your mouth, independent of its sweet taste, and come to depend on it for, say, stress relief or creative thinking. That's not addiction. What may come close, however, is your need for something sweet.
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Is it OK to chew sugar free gum everyday?
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