Approximately 43% of the UK population regularly chew gum. Previous research suggests that chewing gum may help control short-term food intake through satisfying appetite. A within-subject crossover design was used to investigate the effects chewing gum flavours may have on subsequent food intake and self-reported appetite ratings of an ad libitum (as much as desired) breakfast. It was hypothesized that chewing gum before breakfast would decrease appetite ratings and subsequent food intake. In total, 11 participants (9 females, 2 males, 23.2 ± 3.3 years) came to Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health on three separate occasions; once to chew mint gum, once to chew strawberry gum and once to chew nothing as a control. The order of the conditions was randomised and participants were exposed to each condition for 15 minutes, followed by an ad libitum breakfast. Participants rated appetite three times; before the allocated condition, after the condition but before breakfast and after breakfast. Although food intake data needs to be collated, preliminary results indicate that self-reported ratings of hunger decreased and fullness increased in chewing conditions compared to not chewing gum. Further, results suggest that strawberry flavoured gum reduced hunger more than mint gum. Overall, chewing gum for at least 15 minutes reduced hunger ratings and promoted fullness in these participants. This study demonstrates some benefit of chewing gum and the potential use for this in appetite control and as a weight management tool.
Permanent link to this resource: https://doi.org/10.24384/000517
Hannon, Sophie
Supervisors: Hillier, S.
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences\Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work
Year: 2018
© The Author(s) Published by Oxford Brookes University