Brief report: Gum chewing affects standardized math scores in adolescents

Abstract

Gum chewing has been shown to improve cognitive performance in adults; however, gum chewing has not been evaluated in children. This study examined the effects of gum chewing on standardized test scores and class grades of eighth grade math students. Math classes were randomized to a gum chewing (GC) condition that provided students with gum during class and testing, or a control condition with no gum (NGC). Participants included 108 students. The math sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ‐III), and math class grades were used to assess academic performance. Students in the gum chewing condition improved standardized test scores and maintained higher grades in math class compared to those in the no‐gum chewing condition. These results are encouraging as gum chewing may be a cost‐effective and easily implemented method to increase student performance.Trial Registration: NCT00792116.

Chewing gum while studying: Effects on alertness and test performance

“…The two experiments in the present study replicate and extend previous research on chewing gum, by demonstrating chewing gum during a period of self‐study enhances subsequent test performance, consistent with the findings of Allen et al () and Johnston et al (). Results of Experiment 2, but not Experiment 1, indicated chewing gum enhanced alertness during the self‐study period, consistent with the findings of a number of previous studies (e.g., Hirano & Onozuka, ; Johnson et al, ; Morgan et al, ; Sakamoto et al, ; Smith, ; Stephens & Tunney, ; Smith, ; Tucha et al, ; Tucha & Simpson, ).…”

“…They also found chewing gum students completed more work than nonchewing gum students. Johnston, Tyler, Stansberry, Moreno, and Foreyt () conducted a longer study (14 weeks) to investigate the effects of chewing gum on standardised math test scores of adolescent students. Students in the gum chewing condition “had a significantly greater increase in … math scores compared to … the non‐chewing gum condition” (Johnston et al, , p.458).…”

“…Johnston, Tyler, Stansberry, Moreno, and Foreyt () conducted a longer study (14 weeks) to investigate the effects of chewing gum on standardised math test scores of adolescent students. Students in the gum chewing condition “had a significantly greater increase in … math scores compared to … the non‐chewing gum condition” (Johnston et al, , p.458). Considering the above studies as a whole, there is a distinct lack of investigations of effects of chewing gum on learning with realistic materials during relatively short study sessions (e.g., under half an hour).…”

Proposing a Definition of Candy in Moderation

“…It is also noteworthy that sugar-free gum has more health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority than any other food category. 55 52 These results were confirmed in a study of restrained eaters where chewing gum was found to reduce snack intake by about 10%; hunger and the desire to eat also were suppressed significantly.…”

Effect of chewing gum on stress, anxiety, depression, self‐focused attention, and academic success: A randomized controlled study

“…However, in order to enhance exam success, one needs to start chewing gum at least 14 days before the exam. Johnston, Tyler, Stansberry, Morene, and Foreyt () found that students in the chewing gum group improved their standardized test scores and maintained higher grades in mathematics (14 weeks) than those in the no‐chewing gum group. Smith and Woods () determined that chewing gum was also associated with a decrease in the failure to get enough academic work done.…”