Evidence supporting the use of: Gum
For the health condition: Acid Indigestion

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Chewing gum is supported by scientific evidence as a possible aid in alleviating acid indigestion (also known as heartburn or acid reflux). The primary mechanism involves stimulation of saliva production. Chewing gum increases the flow of saliva, which is alkaline and helps neutralize stomach acid that has refluxed into the esophagus. Additionally, increased swallowing frequency helps clear acid more quickly from the esophagus, reducing the duration of acid exposure.

Several clinical studies have investigated this effect. A notable study published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) found that chewing sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after a meal significantly reduced postprandial acid reflux compared to no gum. The researchers attributed this effect to increased saliva production and swallowing, which enhanced esophageal acid clearance. Other studies have echoed these findings, reinforcing the idea that chewing gum can provide symptomatic relief for mild acid indigestion.

It is important to note that while chewing gum can be beneficial, it is not a substitute for medical treatment in cases of frequent or severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Furthermore, gum containing peppermint or spearmint flavoring may worsen symptoms in some individuals, as mint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter. In summary, the use of (sugar-free) gum for mild acid indigestion is supported by moderate scientific evidence, primarily through its effects on saliva production and acid clearance.

More about gum
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Acacia
Acid protease
Actinidin
Activated charcoal
Agarwood
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Algin
Alginic acid
Allspice
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Angelica
Angostura
anise
Anserina
apple
apple cider vinegar
Arani
Ardisia
arrowroot
artichoke
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
balloon flower
balsam
banana
barberry
barley
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
belleric myrobalan
bentonite
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
Bergenia
bicarbonate
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bile salt
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black galingale
black nightshade
black root
black salt
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
bupleurum falcatum
buttermilk
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
calamus
calcium
Camellia sinensis
cape aloe
capers
caraway
cardamom
carqueja
carvone
cassia bark
cayenne pepper
celery
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chamomile
chen pi
chirata
chloride
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
citron
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut milk
colocynth
colombo
Coptis chinensis
coriander
costus
cubeb
cucumber
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
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curry leaf
dandelion
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dragonhead
Echinodorus
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empresstree
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enzyme blend
enzymes blend (proprietary)
European five-finger grass
Evodia
false calumba
fennel
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonones
fleabane
flowering quince
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Fumaria parviflora
fumitory
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Galangal
gallotannin
Gardenia jasminoides
gentian
gentian root
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ghatti
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ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
goldthread
gooseberry
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green banana
green chiretta
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honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
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horseradish
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indigo leaves
iridoids
Javanese Long Pepper
Jurubeba
Kefir
kuding tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
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Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
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lemon
lemongrass
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
limonene
lipase
long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
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mace
magnesium
mallow
manzanita
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Mastic gum
Matapalo Tree
Maytenus ilicifolia
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Menthol oil
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Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Mint
Momordica
Monoterpenes
Mucilage
Mung bean
Mustard
Myrobalan
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olive
oregano
Oroxylum indicum
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papain
papaya
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paw paw
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pineapple
Pinellia ternata
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probiotics
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quassia
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radish
raspberry
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rice
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rose
rosemary
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Products containing gum

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.