Few treats are nicer than gum. With numerous flavors and colors, chewing gum is an all-time favorite everywhere. In fact, it has been a favorite for a long time: An ancient version of it was originally created in the Neolithic period and used to be made from birch bark tar. But a lot has changed since then. Here are our favorite facts about chewing gum.
Most Popular Flavors
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The three most popular flavors of chewing gum nowadays are spearmint, peppermint, and wintergreen. According to a 2020 research, 69.44 million Americans prefer spearmint-flavored gum, 62.91 prefer peppermint, and 50.55 prefer wintergreen.
Best Onion-Cutting Solution
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Chewing gum while you’re cutting onions can stop your eyes from watering up. This happens because while chewing you will breathe through your mouth instead of your nose, which means the irritation the onion scent causes will reach your lacrimal gland on a much smaller scale.
Effects on Concentration
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Even though our teachers did not like it when we chewed gum in school, studies show that it can actually help with concentration. Chewing gum can improve long-term and working memory, as well as reduce muscle tension and increase focus and alertness.
In-Flight Essential
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Chewing gum while flying will stop your ears from popping. This happens because when you chew gum, your salivary glands produce 250% more saliva than regularly, which means you swallow more than usual too. As a result, the pressure in your head gets balanced.
