Does Chewing gum Affect Stress in Healthy People? A Systematic Review on Clinical Trials

There are various reasons for chewing gum, involving regulating psychological states such as concentration and alertness. More recent studies have shown inconsistent findings on the effects of chewing gum on stress reduction. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effect of gum chewing on stress in different stressful situations in randomized controlled clinical trials. To find the main question in this study, the PICO strategy was applied. Multiple databases were systematically examined without considering time restrictions to perform relevant randomized controlled clinical trials of chewing gum and stress until February 2021. Of 108 papers found at the beginning of the study, only three studies were considered appropriate for a systematic review based on inclusion criteria. The results revealed that perceived stress is reduced due to chewing gum. Based on current evidence from three studies, chewing gum can reduce stress. Therefore, chewing gum can be recommended as a safe tool to alleviate stress.