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# Chewing Gum - The New Medicine? Chewing gum has been on the market since 1850 and is enjoyed in over 150 countries worldwide. Scientists are developing a new chewing gum to help stop people from overeating. ## Obesity and the New Gum Obesity is a significant problem in the Western world, contr...

# Chewing Gum - The New Medicine? Chewing gum has been on the market since 1850 and is enjoyed in over 150 countries worldwide. Scientists are developing a new chewing gum to help stop people from overeating. ## Obesity and the New Gum Obesity is a significant problem in the Western world, contributing to over 1,300 deaths per week in Britain alone and one in five children being obese in Europe. The new gum works by releasing a substance into the body, mimicking a hormone that makes you feel full after a meal, thus controlling appetite and reducing overeating. Some people produce less of this hormone naturally, which makes them feel hungrier and more prone to overeating. The more overweight someone is, the less of this hormone their body produces, potentially leading to an obesity cycle. ## Early Trial Results Tests are currently underway, and preliminary results are promising. Volunteers given the "weight" gum consumed 15-20% less food without feeling hungry. The gum is expected to be available within the next eight years. ## Gum for Dental Health The new gum contains *Lactobacillus*, a friendly bacteria found in yogurt. This bacteria attaches to harmful bacteria, preventing them from sticking to teeth and causing decay. A British Dental Association spokesperson stated that the gum can significantly reduce tooth decay, but it's not a replacement for brushing. The "Yoghurt" gum might be available in stores as early as next year. ## Chewing Gum's Negative Impact Millions of pounds are spent annually removing chewing gum from pavements. In 1992, Singapore implemented an extreme solution, banning chewing gum from its streets and imposing a one-year prison sentence and a $10,000 Singapore dollar (or $5,000 Euro) fine for smuggling it in. ## Production Scale of Chewing Gum Wrigley's produces a substantial amount of chewing gum. Enough mint is grown to fill approximately 16,300 football pitches with spearmint gum annually. If all the chewing gum produced in a year were laid end-to-end, it would circle the globe nineteen times.