Short term effects of chewing gum on satiety and snack intake in healthy weight and obese women

Abstract

Previous research indicates that chewing gum (CG) after lunch can increase satiety ratings and reduce subsequent intake of sweet snacks in restrained women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CG in healthy weight (HW) and obese (OB) unrestrained women and to assess possible mechanisms of action. In a randomized, 2‐arm cross‐over study, 28 women (n=15 HW, n=13 OB) completed to test the effects of CG vs. no CG after a fixed lunch meal on post‐meal subjective satiety, snack intake, glucose, insulin and cholecystokinin (CCK). CG once per hour for 15 min for 3 hr after lunch, significantly suppressed hunger, desire to eat and prospective consumption and increased fullness in HW (p<0.001). CG suppressed desire to eat (p=0.0002) and prospective consumption (p=0.0008) in OB. Snack intake was marginally reduced by CG in HW (p=0.07) and this was specific to the sweet, high carbohydrate, low fat snack (p=0.01). Total daily energy intake was less after the CG condition compared to the non‐CG condition in HW (p=0.046). CCK was marginally enhanced by CG, but not significantly different (p=0.12). No remarkable differences for glucose or insulin responses after CG vs no‐CG were apparent. The results provide new insights about how non‐nutritive mastication impacts satiety in HW and OB women and offers new direction for future research to better understand the role of oral food processing.Supported by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company