Chewing gum has long been seen as a nutritionally empty habit—useful for freshening breath or passing time but offering little else. It contains no significant nutrients and has rarely been linked to major health benefits. However, new scientific evidence suggests that the simple act of chewing may have unexpected effects on the brain.
Archaeological discoveries show that people chewed natural resins as far back as 8,000 years ago, and modern scientists are now examining whether the muscle movements involved in chewing can influence brain activity. In a 2025 review of more than three decades of brain imaging studies, researchers found that chewing gum not only engages jaw muscles but also activates parts of the brain involved in attention, alertness, and emotional regulation.
Brain‑wave data from EEG studies showed brief shifts linked to increased vigilance and what researchers describe as “relaxed concentration,” indicating that chewing might help the brain focus under certain conditions. Experts say this could explain why chewing gum sometimes feels calming or helpful during monotonous or mildly stressful tasks.
However, the benefits appear to be short‑lived and limited. While some lab studies found that people chewing gum during tasks like mental arithmetic or public speaking experienced lower anxiety, the positive effects did not hold in high‑stress situations, and there was no clear improvement in memory performance. Any boost in attention tended to disappear once chewing stopped.
Researchers emphasise that current evidence does not prove a direct link between the observed brain activity and long‑term improvements in mental performance or emotional wellbeing, and they call for further studies to explore longer‑term effects, the influence of gum flavours, and possible therapeutic applications.
Dentists also note a trade‑off: while sugar‑free gum can help reduce cavities by stimulating saliva, frequent chewing and acidic additives may contribute to enamel wear or jaw strain.
