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Chewing Gum Facts

Chewing Gum Facts
Chewing gum is a substance that was invented to be chewed and discarded rather than chewed and swallowed. It is believed to have existed in some form for at least 6,000 years, dating back to a time when humans chewed natural substances purely for the need to chew. As time went on early chewing gum proved to be beneficial for taste, cleaning or even to freshen one's breath. Actual chewing gum began to be made in the Neolithic period. Early chewing gum was made from birch bark tar, which is believed to have worked as an antiseptic. Ancient Aztecs and Mayans used chewing gum made from chicle (a tree gum). Today chewing gum is manufactured from a gum base, sweeteners, glycerine, softeners, flavors, colors, and a polytol coating in some cases.
Interesting Chewing Gum Facts:
The oldest chewing gum found is believed to be 9,000 years old. It was found in Sweden.
On average, a person chews about 300 pieces of gum each year.
The majority of chewing gum is purchased between Halloween and Christmas.
If a person chews gum while chopping onions it is supposed to stop their eyes from watering.
The only species on earth that chews gum is the human species.
It is estimated the roughly half a billion dollars are spent on chewing gum by children in North America each year.
There is over 100,000 tons of chewing gum chewed on each year around the world.
In non-sugar-free gum it is estimated that 60 to 70% of the ingredients are sugar.
Some African tribes have been known to take bubble gum as payment for a wife, instead of oxen or sheep.
The first stick of bubble gum (considered to be a success) was pink. He reason for the pink color was that it was the only color the inventor had to work with.
The energy that Americans expend to chew gum every day is estimated to be enough to provide light to a city with 10,000,000 people.
The first brand of bubble gum that was marketed commercially was 'Blibber-Blubber'.
In World War II the U.S. military began issuing gum to its soldiers' ration kits.
The country with the largest number of chewing gum companies is Turkey. The U.S. is the country with the second most chewing gum companies.
In 1974, the Topps Chewing Gum Company presented Willie Mays with a piece of gum that was the same size and weight of 10,000 normal size pieces of gum.
Studies have found that chewing gum can improve cognitive function including memory and speed of perception.
The ingredient xylitol, which is used in some sugar-free gum, has been found to reduce cavities and plaque in those that chew it regularly.
The myth that states that swallowed gum stays in the stomach for seven years is false. It passes through but is not digested because of the indigestible fiber it contains.
The largest bubble ever blown from chewing gum was 23 inches in diameter, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.


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