Stickin’ It to ‘Em:

Whether it’s used as a breath freshener, a between-meals snack, a stress reducer or for savoring its fruity flavor, gum is a part of many of our every day lives.

Gone are the days where Black Jack’s licorice flavor was your only flavor of choice. Just go into any grocery or drug store and you’ll find oodles of flavors, from citrus mint to spearmint, wild berry to strappleberry!

What has not changed—not in recent history, anyway—are the primary ingredients found in chewing gum: gum base, sugar, corn syrup, softeners and other flavorings. Of course, we know about some of the inherent health risks that accompany excessive consumption of corn syrup and sugar, which is why many people opt for the sugar-free varieties of chewing gum. But even the sugar-free variety has dangerous chemicals. In place of sugar and corn syrup, aspartame and saccharin are used. Sure, they may taste an awful lot like sugar, but at a cost to your health (as has been discussed in past health columns).

Chemical ingredients like these would be a problem for those of us who love “chewing the cud,” if weren’t for the introduction of Xylitol.

You may have heard of this ingredient before; several commercially manufactured gum makers have plastered “Made with Xylitol” on their packaging—and for good reason.

Loads of studies have been done on Xylitol, a natural sweetener found in trees and tree pulp. It’s consistently been found to be safe to use and today is found in many oral health products like gum, toothpaste and oral rinsing agents. But to say simply that Xylitol is “safe to use” would be a slap in the face to Xylitol and all it has to offer. Among the many health promoting properties, it helps reduce tooth decay by up to 80 percent for those who use it regularly!

The reason for this is because Xylitol is bacteria’s worst enemy. We get cavities and tooth decay because of excessive bacteria that accumulates in our mouths from foods and everyday living that is not cleaned out by our daily teeth cleanings (rather gross to say aloud, I know, but it’s true).

By chewing flavors of gum made with Xylitol, less plaque builds up on teeth, gum tissue inflammation declines, and can reduce instances of ear inflammation by up to 40 percent. A recent study in Finland showed that legions that form in the mouth as a result of tooth decay have actually been reversed in children who use oral health products made with Xylitol.

But if you want to know one of the healthiest chewing gums out there—the best tasting, most long-lasting Xylitol gum—it’s got to be Spry Gum.

I recently bought a "blister pack" of Spry Gum (cinnamon flavor, spearmint is my next purchase) and I’m impressed by its great taste and long lasting flavor. But I am particularly impressed by the fact that it contains no harmful chemicals like those found in other commercially manufactured gum made with Xylitol.

Folks, I have absolutely NO financial backing or affiliation with Spry gum or Xlear, the company that makes it. I recommend this product only because I think it’s the healthiest and best tasting Xylitol gum you can find on the market today. If you chew gum that contains aspartame and corn syrup I suggest you throw it away and get yourself some Spry gum. This is just another small step you can take to reach a perfect state of health.

If you’d like to find out more information on Spry gum, visit their web site:

http://www.sprydental.com