Preservatives. These are added to extend shelf life. The most popular choice is an organic compound called butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

Its use is controversial, as some animal studies suggest that high doses can cause cancer. However, the results are mixed, and other studies haven’t found this effect ( 1, 2). Studies have found that chewing gums sweetened with the sugar alcohol xylitol are more effective than other sugar-free gums at preventing tooth decay ( 43).

Some older animal studies have linked very high doses of titanium dioxide with nervous system and organ damage in rats ( 6, 7). More research is needed, but the researchers suggested that people who experience migraine might want to limit their gum chewing. Summary BHT is an antioxidant that’s added to many processed foods as a preservative. It stops food from going bad by preventing fats from becoming rancid.

Studies have found that chewing gum while performing tasks can improve various aspects of brain function, including alertness, memory, understanding, and decision making ( 21, 22, 23, 24, 25).Animal studies have suggested that aspartame is a chemical carcinogen in rodents and that prenatal exposure to aspartame increases cancer risk in rodent offspring ( 12). Interestingly, some studies have found that chewing gum during tasks may be a bit of a distraction at the start but could help you focus for longer periods ( 27). Inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer have also been observed in studies that have treated rats with titanium dioxide ( 8).