Wrigley Study Finds Chewing Gum Can Help Lower Calorie Intake and Increase Energy Expenditure

Overall, this study demonstrates the effects of chewing sugar-free gum on meal intake and energy expenditure, such that over a half-day about 62 kilocalories could be 'saved' by a total of one hour of relaxed gum chewing compared to not chewing gum.

28 Oct 2009 --- New research from University of Rhode Island presented at The Obesity Society's 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting shows the role of chewing sugar-free gum, such as Wrigley's Extra, in helping to reduce calorie intake at lunch and increase energy expenditure among individuals in a laboratory setting. Kathleen J. Melanson, Ph.D., R.D., Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, led the research study.
Primary outcomes include:

According to the Wrigley sponsored study after subjects chewed gum in the morning, their calorie intake at lunch was decreased by 68 calories.
• Despite consuming fewer calories at lunch, participants did not report greater hunger and did not compensate by increasing their calorie intake later in the day.
• When participants chewed gum, they reported feeling less hungry, as compared to when they did not chew gum.

When subjects chewed gum with a relaxed, natural pace before and after eating, their energy expenditure increased.
• When participants chewed gum before eating, their energy expenditure was higher by approximately 5%, as compared to when they did not chew gum.
• When participants chewed gum after eating, their energy expenditure was also higher by approximately 5%, as compared to when they did not chew gum.
• Furthermore, with gum chewing, subjects reported reduced weariness and less perceived effort to do things, as compared to when they did not chew gum. 

Overall, this study demonstrates the effects of chewing sugar-free gum on meal intake and energy expenditure, such that over a half-day about 62 kilocalories could be 'saved' by a total of one hour of relaxed gum chewing compared to not chewing gum. It also contributes to a growing body of evidence in these two areas. Three previous studies have reported that chewing gum before snacking can help reduce hunger, diminish cravings and decrease snack intake. And, nutritionists report that even small changes in caloric intake can have a significant impact in the long term. In addition, a previous study has demonstrated increased energy expenditure when chewing gum.vi