Can Chewing Gum Really Help Lower Your Blood Pressure?

You may have heard that chewing gum can help lower your blood pressure, but you may be wondering if there is any truth to this claim. Let's take a closer look at the scientific evidence to see if gum really can help keep your blood pressure in check.

The link between gum and blood pressure was first identified in a small study published in 2002. In this study, researchers found that people who chewed gum for 30 minutes had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) than those who did not chew gum. However, the study did not find any difference in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).

Subsequent studies have generally found that chewing gum can modestly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, although the effect seems to be greater on systolic blood pressure. One large-scale study published in 2012 found that people who chewed gum for at least one hour each day had an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3.3 mmHg compared to those who did not chew gum. This reduction may not seem like much, but it could potentially translate into a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease over time.

So, how does chewing gum lower blood pressure?

The act of chewing seems to stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brainstem to the abdomen and plays an important role in regulateing heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, chewing gum causes you to swallow more often, which also helps to lower blood pressure.

There are any other theories about how gum may help to lower blood pressure. One theory is that chewing gum helps to keep your jaw muscles active, which in turn can help to reduce tension in your head and neck. This reduction in tension may help to lower blood pressure.

Another theory is that chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which can help to remove plaque from your teeth. This removal of plaque can help to reduce inflammation in your gums, which may also help to reduce blood pressure.

Conclusion:

There is definitely some evidence to suggest that chewing gum can help lower your blood pressure. Chewing gum has been shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure. In a study done on rats, it was found that chewing gum helped to reduce blood pressure and prevent hypertension. While the mechanisms by which this occurred were not fully understood, the study showed that there are benefits to be had from chewing gum with regard to blood pressure.lowering levels of stress hormones than those who did not chew gum. This suggests that chewing gum can help to reduce stress, which can in turn help to lower blood pressure. Chewing gum can help to reduce stress in a number of different ways, including by providing a distraction from stressful thoughts and by increasing saliva production, which can help to neutralize acids in the mouth that can contribute to teeth grinding and jaw clenching.  Overall, the evidence suggests that chewing gum can be beneficial for regulating blood pressure. If you're looking for a natural way to help keep your blood pressure under control, then chewing gum may be worth a try. Just be sure to choose sugar-free gum to avoid raising your blood sugar levels. And always check with your doctor before starting any new treatment, even one as seemingly innocuous as chewing gum!