Several studies have emerged that propose the idea that chewing gum helps students focus. And while there are certainly tons of benefits to chewing gum, there can also be some drawbacks, especially in a classroom setting.
So, does chewing gum help students focus? Yes! Studies have shown that when you chew gum, brain activity is activated that actually affects the way the brain functions.
But do the benefits of chewing gum in the classroom outweigh the drawbacks? That answer is a little bit trickier. And I would like to go into both sides of that argument later in this article. But for now, let’s look at the research that shows how chewing gum helps students to focus.
Table of Contents
So What Do the Studies Say?
I would like to focus on three particular studies that did a better job of testing and control than most of the other studies I ran into. Here is a chart that summarizes the studies:
All of the studies seemed to find a direct correlation to students who chewed gum and showed increased cognitive ability. There was only one study that I found that indicated there was no increase in student focus when chewing gum. But that particular study had significantly fewer test volunteers. And it seemed that the researcher’s description of results was based more on her opinion than on data she collected. However, her opinions had some pretty interesting observations, and that is why I included it in my research results. I will talk more about her specific study in a little bit.
Why Does Chewing Gum Help Students Focus?
The strange thing about all of these studies is that nobody knows exactly why chewing gum helps students focus. There are three beliefs regarding that, though. They are as follows:
- The first belief regarding why chewing gum helps students focus better is that the act of chewing causes increased blood flow and glucose to the brain, which then stimulates it to better cognitive ability. Interestingly enough, though, just the act of chewing with no food or gum in one’s mouth does not have the same effect.
- The second belief regarding why chewing gum helps students focus is that the act of chewing causes one’s body to be more physically aroused, which in turn stimulates the brain to be more aroused and alert.
- And finally, the third belief is that chewing gum can relieve stress, which then allows the brain to function with less distraction and more clarity.
While all of these beliefs make good sense, we unfortunately don’t have any definitive science behind it at this point.
What are Some Other Benefits of Chewing Gum?
The American Dental Association says that chewing gum can actually prevent gum disease. Their reasoning is that the act of chewing causes your salivary glands to activate, which, in turn, washes away acids that are produces from the process of bacteria breaking down the food in your mouth.
Additionally, chewing gum is believed to curb cravings. A study was done by the University of Liverpool that said gum chewers consume about 35 fewer calories a day. While that sounds pretty small, over the course of a year, it turns into 12,775 calories!
In addition to cutting calories by curbing cravings, the act of chewing gum itself can burn up to 11 calories an hour! That means if you chew for several hours, the calories you will save increases significantly.
Mint and ginger flavored gum can reduce nausea. And chewing gum of any flavor can eliminate heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in your esophagus.
The mental and emotional benefits of chewing gum are significant as well. It can help lessen depression, fatigue, and anxiety according to a study done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Do Certain Flavors Help You to Focus More?
Miranda Reinhart with Hanover College did a study that specifically addressed which, if any, flavors of gum would help students to focus better.
Ms. Reinhart’s study also included whether students were actually more focused when chewing gum, as referenced in the chart above.
Surprisingly, her study actually did not find a definitive correlation between chewing gum and better focus. And it also didn’t find a correlation between flavor and focus.
This study surprised her as well, since she was expecting that students would increase focus by chewing gum. In addition, she also expected mind and unusual flavors to increase focus and brain activity. Cinnamon gum was also expected to have a similar effect to mint gum, because of its potency.
In fact, what Ms. Reinhart did say regarding the surprising results was that the students who came for the test were already exhibiting obvious signs of focus/non-focus. My thought regarding this is that without a way to equalize the level of focus, it does sort of ruin the study.
She also acknowledges that her study had different results than other notable studies.
Advantages of Chewing Gum in the Classroom
So besides the possibility of better focus in the classroom, are there other advantages to allowing chewing gum in your classroom?
The answer is a definite yes. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. It Can Relieve Stress
This is a great way to help students to relieve stress without costing any teaching time in the classroom to have to focus on tending to the stress.
Obviously, I am not suggesting that we ignore stressful incidents as they happen. We absolutely need to do that. But what I am saying is that when students seem to have a generally stressed personality, it goes a long way to help them feel less stressed when they are able to chew gum.
2. It Can Dull Background Noise
When chewing gum, it makes just enough noise in the chewer’s head that background noise is dulled or eliminated. But they can still hear the normal components of their classroom activity.
There is an exception to this benefit. If a student has hearing difficulties, then chewing gum could actually compound those difficulties. So it would not be in their best interest to chew gum in class.
Disadvantages of Chewing Gum in the Classroom
While there were many great reasons to allow chewing gum in class, there are unfortunately some adverse activities that can ruin the experience in some classrooms. Here are some of the top issues.
1. Finding It Where It Doesn’t Belong
Finding chewing gum in carpets, under desks, or in other students’ belongings (or even their hair!!!) are all great reasons to not allow gum in class.
Especially in the younger grades and middle school, there will most likely be students that just will not dispose of their gum properly. Or they could inadvertently drop it out of their mouth, causing all of these issues.
There have been teachers that were successful with their students in this area. The thing I saw most in common with those teachers was that they made it clear to their students that they would be able to continue chewing gum in class as long as negative issues did not arise. And that was enough for those students to be able to keep good control of their chewing gum habits.
Not all teachers will have the same good fortune with their classes. Every class is different and needs to be handled accordingly.
2. Noisy Gum Chewers
It can be very distracting when the person next to you is smacking and popping their gum. It personally drives me crazy! When the classroom is quiet, those particular sounds will be magnified tenfold. And it will do way more harm and cause much more distraction than not chewing gum at all.
Imagine trying to take a test and concentrate. Then the person next to you, in deep concentration themselves, starts smacking and popping their gum. They are oblivious to the noise because they are so concentrated on your test. But the student(s) next to them can’t hear anything, let alone the thoughts in their own head, because the smacking and popping is so pronounced that it won’t let them concentrate on anything else.
This is not a distraction we can afford to have in the classroom.
Best Ways to Implement Chewing Gum in the Classroom
So how do we strike a balance between productive gum chewing and disruptive gum chewing in the classroom? Here are a few suggestions to help you out if you decide to try implementing chewing gum in you class.
1. Ease into it gently.
Maybe start by saying you will only allow it on a certain day and for just one class period. That way, you can deal with the distractions of allowing something new in your class that will definitely need some rule reminders.
2. Have a poster delineating the rules of chewing gum in your class.
Make sure to give out plenty of friendly reminders. You don’t want to squelch a fun activity before they get a chance to really enjoy it in the classroom. You will defeat morale in a very harmful way if you don’t give it a real chance.
3. Promise an expansion of the privilege if students handle the time they have with it well.
Making sure students realize that with respect of the rules, they will get more of a good thing. It will certainly motivate them to do the right thing to get their time expanded.
Conclusion
So this is what my research produced regarding the studies of whether chewing gum helps students to focus better. While, unfortunately, it seems impossible to prove the theory conclusively, there does seem to be a great case for encouraging gum chewing for the sake of better focus in the classroom.
There was something that all of the studies showing that chewing gum helping students focus had in common. That was that while there was some benefit to be found, it was a very short lived benefit, usually not more than 20 minutes of increased focus and attention.
This is something that teachers will need to weigh as they consider the pros and cons of allowing chewing gum in their classrooms.
And the good news is that no studies were done that showed chewing gum adversely affects the ability to focus.
So in conclusion, I would say that the issue comes down to whether the advantages of chewing gum in the classroom outweigh the disadvantages. And honestly, I think that is up to each teacher and her particular classroom to figure out. Some classrooms would be perfectly fine, while others would be a disaster. And nobody knows their classrooms better than the teachers who spend the majority of every day with those students.
Sources:
Science Daily, Chewing gum helps you concentrate for longer, study suggests
Andrew Smith, Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, School of Psychology, Cardiff University
Department of Psychology, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
Serge V. Onyper, Department of Psychology, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY 13617, USA. sonyper@stlawu.edu
Kate Morgan, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjop.12025
Effect of Regular Gum Chewing on Levels of Anxiety, Mood, and Fatigue in Healthy Young Adults
Miranda Reinhart, Does Chewing Different Flavored Gum Help Memory?
If you enjoyed this article, I think you will really enjoy the following articles as well:
How Many Questions Should be on a Test?
What is the Average Teacher-Student Ratio? (And How to Make it Work for You)
Best Games to Play in Class
Classroom Culture: How Do Your Students Feel?
This is really interesting! We always allow children to chew gum during tests but gum was always prohibited n school. I think this should change for the sake of focus.
It makes sense that chewing gum would help kids focus in class. I know it helps me focus. I find when I chew gum that it helps me work off excess stress energy and really dial in on what I’m doing.
Wow – I really learned quite a bit from this post. When I was at school, chewing gum was banned and not allowed anywhere on school grounds. No one ever suggested back then that it would be beneficial for students to focus better in class. Really interesting to see studies conducted on this to show the actual benefits.
I agree, Nicole. My school experience was the same. It never even occurred to me that it could be beneficial. The studies were very thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
SO INTERESTING! I liked how it curbs hunger too! I chew gum at work for fresh breath, maybe it helps me focus too!
Growing up we were banned from chewing gum. I love that this has been found to be a stress reliever for students. I am glad it is allowed now.
Interesting. I would have never guessed but it makes total sense now!
This is definitely interesting. Never would’ve thought that it was a stress reliever.
It isn’t for me, but my kids always said it was!
interesting. i always thought of kids chewing gum as being distracted and not focused.
It didn’t necessarily distract me growing up, but I don’t think it helped me study either! My kids swear by it, though!
This is fascinating! I’ve never heard anything like this. I often chew gum while I work!
I wonder if it helps you stay focused better at work!!!
Never really thought that chewing gum could help relieve stress. So seems like an interesting idea to try. At the same, I am not sure how a classroom full of gum chewing students would seem like even if they were not noisy. Since chewing gum during interactions is considered disrespectful in many cultures, cultivating that habit for children might lead to other consequences later. Quite a double-edged sword.
I totally agree, Maxim! When you are allowing a bunch of younger kids to do it, a whole lot more problems can emerge that may take away any benefits of allowing it. And I hadn’t even thought of the cultures and countries that don’t allow chewing gum because it is perceived as disrespectful. That puts a whole different spin on things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Super interesting. I feel like this works for students past a certain age, otherwise it’s just a mess.
I agree, Nkem. I would not be brave enough to try it with really young students.
I was told by a doctor when I was a teenager to stop chewing gum, cuz I got a lot of tension in the jaw, which caused migranes.
That actually makes a lot of sense to me, Ann. I cannot chew gum because it irritates my jaw, and then I am irritable, lol. I never got as far as migraines, though!
Nice topic. I strongly agree with the third reason.
Personally I hate this and this is just another bad habit. Chewing gums though help cleaning teeth. @ knycx journeying
While I understand you personally dislike it (I also don’t love chewing gum), I am curious as to why you find it a bad habit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts though!
Well would you belive it, after all those teacher tellings off over the years. what a discovery.
I know, right?!
I love these ideas! Thank you so much for sharing!
Yes, I totally agree that chewing gum can help so much with focus. I remember doing this when I was younger.
While I don’t love chewing gum personally, my kids swear that it helps them to focus. I actually do believe them because they do their work better when I give them gum!
I used to chew gum as it helped me so much and achieve my grades, so I would say yes for me it worked x
That’s cool for you to share what research had been saying! Thank you for sharing your experience, Melanie!
This is so interesting. I always thought chewing gum helped me during class.
I bet you’re right, Hayley!
wow! that unexpected but very curious! thanks for posting
It is very curious! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lyosha!
What an interesting post and something I didn’t really think about before reading this post!
I never thought much about it either. I know my kids were trying to get me to buy them gum saying that it did help them focus. I didn’t really think to look into it until recently.
I think that’s more of the fact that when you chew, your brain works so the constant chewing helps, not the bubble gum per se.
I think you are absolutely right about that, Kathy! And honestly, I would rather snack on something than chew gum, so I like your train of thought!
I think it can be a distraction for kids. This is my personal opinion. This is especially evident for those loud noisy chewers!
I can’t stand loud gum chewers!!!!! And honestly chewing gum actually does personally distract me because I don’t like chewing gum much. But for those who don’t mind, I can see it being more of a help!
What a good post! I was never allowed to chew gum in school, lol. So much insight now for why it’s a good idea and things I’ve never known before!
Maybe it will help you to focus better on your work (unless your work is not chewing gum friendly)!
That is so cool I remember when I was in school have any gum in her mouth and it was at our own risk in peril.
Haha, I remember those risky days too, Steven!
I think it kinda help, but actually for me others chew gums because it’s their way of dealing with pressure or stress instead of smoking
That is such a good point! I didn’t think about that in the study, mostly because I was working with sections of school students and not adults. But I would love to see how that all plays into the research for older students in college.
Chewing gum not only help students to focus but also it helps to increase memory. Moreover it also helps is reducing stress and anxiety. So overall the effect of chewing gum for students is not so bad.
I fully agree, Stacy! Although I don’t personally love chewing gum, I did allow my students to if they felt like they could do it and not be distracted.
I think it depends on each child. Some may find this helpful and some may don’t. Quite an interesting post and great guide as well.
I fully agree, Lyanna!
I agree as well, Lyanna! Every child is different, it may help some and not others. Kind of like those fidget spinners that are or were popular with kids.
My daughter chews chewing gum too, this article is really informative! Thanks for sharing!
Does it help her study? I would love to know what she thinks about it or if she has even thought about that, lol!
I don’t know how it helps students but my daughter says I always chewing gum whenever i don’t understand any lecture and I try to focus on that.
That is interesting that the theory seems to hold up here!
Wait mind blown. When I was growing up chew gum was basically a sin in school it’s actually helpful?
I know, right? We’ll see how long it is perceived as helpful. As long as students don’t abuse it, it could be a great development in school life! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lily.
This is really interesting! I don’t like chewing gums as I find it very distracting. However, I never knew these aspects!
I agree, Sushmita. I don’t love chewing gum myself. But my kids swear by it so I let them as long as they weren’t distracted and got their work done.
I never knew that chewing gum helps to focus. I find this very interesting, we learn everyday to stay current. I find it very interesting.
I found this study very interesting too, Adebimpe! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I’m not surprised that studies have shown that it helps. I know when I chew gum, it helps me get out all the extra nervous energy.
I find it interesting that people seem to be very polarized as to whether it helps them or distracts them. I think it is true on both sides and just depends on the person! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Claudia. You actually added an extra element to it regarding helping with nervous energy!
Hahaha this is so cool! I had no idea chewing gum could help kids focus. Growing up it was always a no-no in the classroom. And yes it definitely winds up in places where it doesn’t belong, like under the desk! lol. I love chewing gum!
Haha, I hate gum under the desk! And I remember those days that it was not good to get caught chewing gum! Thank you for sharing.
I always thought it was crazy that I couldn’t chew gum in class when I was a kid. I did so much better when I could chew off that excess energy. I still chew gum like a madman when I’m intensely concentrating.
That makes total sense to me Surekha. Although I don’t chew gum in this way, a few of my kids do. And it works well for them!
This is fascinating! I always used to chew gum when I did my homework.. now it makes sense!
It’s funny how we automatically gravitate towards the things that are beneficial for us without even realizing it sometimes!
I admit that I too often chew chewing gum and I found some help in concentrating, then for the purposes of education it is not the best but as you say you have to see the pros and cons.
You are absolutely right, Cristina!
Hhhhmmmm….help relieve stress? I wonder how that happens! Truth is, I hate chewing gum. The mere sound that comes out of me chewing it irritates me.
I hear ya! There are times that I don’t really mind chewing gum for a short time, but generally I don’t enjoy it.
I did read about it a few year back, but this is an in-depth details. Very interesting read
That’s pretty interesting. Almost like a fidget spinner.
I never would have thought to relate the two, but you are right, Jon! Thanks for sharing.
Sooo can you help me go back in time? In 7th grade I got my only ever detention for chewing gum in math class. I just want to go back and tell that teacher to…. suck it, lol.
Oh no!!!! Yes, you should definitely go back and tell that teacher what to do with his/her chewing gum rules along with the corresponding research links to prove your point!
OMG, I can’t believe, I used to be in detention for chewing gum when I was school. I should send them this post.
I remember debating to be allowed to chew gum whilst in high school for this very reason. The school didn’t allow it to pass but they did allow for us to eat mints during class because apparently there is some research that peppermint helps increase memory retention.
This post is truly interesting. I have never thought of so many advantages just coming from a chewing gum.
Thank you a lot for sharing! I learnt a lot from your post.
There sure still are some interesting benefits to stuff like mints!
Wow, I didn’t know that I can loose calories just by chewing a gum?! That is so nice to know,thanks!
I did not know that chewing gum can help you focus better. I only knew that it could relieve stress and anxiety. My dad said “chew gum before you go in for that interview,” and I thought it was only to freshen my breath. Haha. Now I know better.
I think chewing gum diverts attention and it does not help in focusing in studies. Also, when you chew, all efforts and oxygen go to that area.
Such an interesting learning today! I think it has the same effect as studying while listening to binaural beats, helping you zone in on what you’re doing.
i wouldn’t think it would help my kiddos. i would keep finding gum all over. intereting though.
That’s super interesting. I guess it makes sense since it keeps them “busy”.
My classmates always said it helped them concentrate at school (weren’t allowed to chew gum during lessons) but then followed that up by throwing bits at the teacher -,-
For me YES! It helped me in my exams and really helped be focus and gain great grades for sure x
Chewing on something helps me focus and study. On my end, it’s really good.