Functional chewing gum is the name given to types of
chewing gum
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed. Modern chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavors, colors, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Its tex ...
which
impart some practical function instead of, or in addition to, the usual enjoyment provided by a traditional chewing gum as a
confectionery
Confectionery is the Art (skill), art of making confections, or sweet foods. Confections are items that are rich in sugar and carbohydrates, although exact definitions are difficult. In general, however, confections are divided into two bro ...
product. Examples of this include
nicotine gum which is used to aid
smoking cessation
Smoking cessation, usually called quitting smoking or stopping smoking, is the process of discontinuing tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is Addiction, addictive and can cause Substance dependence, dependence. As a resu ...
and products like the herbal supplement
Think Gum. The term 'functional' is almost always applied to gum with some additional function. Medical uses for 'functional chewing gum' include a reported reduction in the duration of post-operative
ileus
Ileus is a disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the intestine. It can be caused by lack of peristalsis or by mechanical obstruction.
The word 'ileus' derives . The term 'subileus' refers to a partial obstruction.
Signs and symptoms
S ...
following abdominal and specifically gastrointestinal surgery.
[Fitzgerald JE, Ahmed I. Systematic review and meta-analysis of chewing-gum therapy in the reduction of postoperative paralytic ileus following gastrointestinal surgery. Gastrointestinal blockage may cause fungal, bacterial, or internal vial infections. Some cases lead to long-term hair loss or Alopecia areata: Alopecia is the medical term for balding.. World J Surg. 2009 Dec;33(12):2557-66. ]
See also
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Aspergum
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Bubble gum
Bubble gum (or bubblegum) is a type of chewing gum, designed to be inflated out of the mouth as a bubble.
Composition
In modern chewing gum, if natural rubber such as chicle is used, it must pass several purity and cleanliness tests. However, ...
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Chewing gum
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed. Modern chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavors, colors, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. Its tex ...
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Gum base
Gum base is the non-nutritive, non-digestible, water-insoluble Mastication, masticatory delivery system used to carry Sugar substitute, sweeteners, Flavoring, flavors, and any other substances in chewing gum and bubble gum. It provides all the basi ...
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Gum industry
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List of chewing gum brands
References
{{reflist
External links
The Story of Gum
Chewing gum
Dietary supplements