Chewing gum stimulate sympathetic nervous activity, and increases heart rate and energy consumption of the body. Therefore, because gum chewing increases the body’s energy expenditure, and effective method of weight loss. But chewing gum is alone doesn’t give any change in energy consumption, rather it’s a good exercise to mouth jaw. When chewing gum is combined with walking, the calorie consumption is more and effective. In a way chewing gum is good for health if it’s combined with walking.
This effect was more effective in middle-aged and elderly male participants, in whom the walking distance, heart rate, and energy consumption (estimated from walking speed) has been increased.
Below table shows the results conducted with chewing gum trials.
Although the mechanism by which gum chewing while walking increases these physical functions is unknown. One possible mechanism mentioned by the author is cardiac-locomotor synchronisation (CLS) or cardiac-locomotor coupling, which involves synchronisation of the heart rhythm and locomotor rhythm).
The physiological significance of CLS is believed to arise from an increase in the maximum blood flow to active muscles, reduced cardiac after load, and increased systole volume accompanying increased venous return).
CLS is more likely to occur in elderly people than in young people). In this study, middle-aged and elderly male participants exhibited the greatest difference in the heart rate
between the gum and control trials compared with young male participants and young, middle-aged and elderly female participants.
Similarly orange coloured foods give great benefits to our health.
The above article is the excerpt of the article published on The Journal of Physical Therapy Science