I’ve never been a gum chewer. And I don’t like to see someone chewing gum. It’s never a pretty site.

Now I may be changing my mind. I read an article in AARP Magazine. The title was 8 Surprising Ways to Burn 50 Calories. 

According to the article, if you chew gum for 4 1/2 hours, you’ll burn 50 calories. And the act of chewing raises your metabolic rate by 20%. Chewing gum with xylitol reduces plaque and helps prevent cavities.

So the next time I was in Walmart, I looked at every chewing gum label. Xylitol was an ingredient in every one. I was concerned about digesting a chemical sugar substitute. So, I checked with WebMD and learned that xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener. It’s plant based and it does reduce plaque and helps prevent cavities. It’s absorbed slower than sugar, keeping blood levels more stable.

I’m still not a gum chewer. I just can’t keep chomping on it. But with all the benefits of chewing gum, I’m going to give it a try.

Whether you chew gum or not, leave a comment with your gum chewing experience. If you don’t chew gum, would you be willing to give it a try?