New Study Finds Chewing Sugar-free Gum Can Help Lower Calorie Intake

EMBARGO: 05:01 EST Wednesday 28 October 2009

MEDIA ALERT
New Study Finds Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Can Help Lower Calorie Intake and Increase Energy Expenditure

New research from the University of Rhode Island presented at the recent Obesity Society's 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting shows the role of chewing sugar-free gum, such as Wrigley's Extra, in helping to reduce calorie intake at lunch(i) and increase energy expenditure among individuals in a laboratory setting.(ii)

This is the fourth research study that supports the role of chewing sugar-free gum as an easy, practical weight management tool, and contributes to a growing body of evidence in this area. Nutritionists report that even small changes in calorie intake can have a significant impact in the long term. The research was conducted by Dr Kathleen Melanson Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. Primary outcomes included:

* After subjects chewed gum in the morning, their calorie intake at lunch was decreased by 68 calories.
* Despite consuming fewer calories at lunch, participants did not report greater hunger and did not compensate by increasing their calorie intake later in the day.
* When participants chewed gum, they reported feeling less hungry, as compared to when they did not chew gum.

Overall, this study demonstrates the effects of chewing sugar-free gum on meal intake and energy expenditure, such that over a half-day about 62 kilocalories could be `saved' by a total of one hour of relaxed gum chewing compared to not chewing gum. It also contributes to a growing body of evidence in these two areas. Three previous studies have reported that chewing gum before snacking can help reduce hunger, diminish cravings and decrease snack intake.(iii) (iv) (v) And, nutritionists report that even small changes in caloric intake can have a significant impact in the long term. In addition, a previous study has demonstrated increased energy expenditure when chewing gum.(vi)

A research summary with additional information on methodology is available upon request.

WHO: Sharon Natoli, Director, Food and Nutrition Australia is available for interview to discuss the potential role of chewing gum on appetite control, meal intake and caloric expenditure

WHEN: Research to be presented by Dr Kathleen Melanson at The Obesity Society's 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington D.C on Tuesday 27th October 2009

MATERIALS: An embargoed media release will be distributed, Wednesday 28th October 2009

ANR: Audio grabs will be available for download from www.mediagame.com.au from 05:01am EST, Wednesday 28th October 2009

For more information please contact Edelman:
Elissa Callaghan: (02) 9291 3361, 0402 365 899 or [email protected]
Tania Paccanaro: (02) 9291 3322, 0414 920 299 or [email protected]

(i) Kathleen J. Melanson, Kaitlyn E. Reti, and Daniel L. Kresge. Impact of chewing gum on appetite, meal intake, and mood under controlled conditions. Obesity 2009. Washington, D.C. October 2009.
(ii) Daniel L. Kresge, Kaitlyn E. Reti and Kathleen J. Melanson. Relationships between gum chewing, energy expenditure and RQ before and after controlled
breakfasts. Obesity 2009. Washington, D.C. October 2009.
(iii) Hetherington MM, Boyland E. "Short term effects of chewing gum on snack intake and appetite." Appetite. 2007; 48(3):397-401.
(iv) Hetherington MM, Regan MF. "Effect of chewing gum on short-term appetite control and reduced snack intake in moderately restrained eaters." Obesity. 2007; 15: 510-P.
(v) Paula J. Geiselman, Corby Martin, Sandra Coulon, Donna Ryan, and Megan Apperson. Effects of chewing gum on specific macronutrient and total caloric intake in an afternoon snack. FASEB J. 2009 23:101.3.
(vi) Levine J, Baukol P, Pavlidis I. "The energy expended in chewing gum." New England Journal of Medicine. 1999; l 341(27): 2100.



SOURCE: Edelman