Effects of three principal constituents in chewing gum on electroencephalographic activity

Abstract

The effects of three principal constituents (sugar, spearmint, and gumbase) in chewing gum on EEG findings in 20 normal subjects were investigated. After they chewed the gumbase, theta activity decreased significantly at Fp2, O1, T3, T4, F4, P3, and Pz; alpha activity increased significantly at O1 and decreased significantly at Fp1, and beta activity increased significantly at Fp1, Fp2, O1, T3, T4, P3 and Pz. After they inhaled the spearmint, alpha activity decreased significantly at 02, F3, P4, and Fz, and beta increased significantly at 02, F3, P4, and Fz. The mean frequency of the alpha band was significantly higher than after 1 min at rest without inhalation. After the subjects chewed the gumbase with sucrose, theta activity increased at Fp2 and Fz; alpha activity increased significantly at T3; and beta activity decreased significantly at Fpl, Fp2, F4, P3, P4, Fz, and Pz. The mean frequency of the alpha band was significantly lower than after 1 min at rest without it at almost all the positions. These results suggest that the gumbase with sucrose induced relaxed concentration effects while inhalation of spearmint induced arousal effects. The chewing of gumbase showed arousal tendency.

Effects of chewing gum on mood, learning, memory and performance of an intelligence test

“…Further research is now required to determine the practical implications of the alerting effect of chewing gum and to understand the brain mechanisms that underlie such changes. However, the alerting effects of chewing gum are consistent with results from EEG studies 13,14 and it has been suggested that chewing gum activates at least two types of mechanism, one related to the chewing and the other to the flavour of the gum. 14,15,25 Studies measuring EMG confirm that EMG activity in particular facial muscles is related to the mobilization of energetic resources.…”

Effect of Essential Oil from San-Jo-In (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. seeds) on Human Electroencephalographic Activity

“…Inhalation of essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender and spiced oil have been found to possess potent and positive effects on EEG activity [10]. In contrary to our results, Masumoto et al [18] reported that the inhalation of aroma of spearmint oil significantly decreased alpha and increased theta activities. Then the authors suggested that the spearmint oil induced arousal effects.…”

Effects of chewing gum on cognitive function, mood and physiology in stressed and non-stressed volunteers

“…6,9 EEG studies also suggest that chewing gum may increase alertness 25,26 and it has been suggested that chewing gum activates at least two types of mechanism, one related to the chewing and the other to the flavour of the gum. 7,26 In addition, studies measuring EMG confirm that EMG activity, in particular facial muscles, is related to the mobilization of energetic resources. 27 Mastication also has effects on both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.…”

“…In addition, it was important to determine whether effects of gum generalize across gum types (in this case mint and fruit flavors) as some studies suggest that it is the flavor of the gum that is important. 7 There is considerable anecdotal evidence that individuals who are stressed or anxious often chew gum. Smith 8 has recently investigated the personality characteristics associated with chewing gum and found that high consumers of gum are more anxious.…”