Scientists have discovered the effect of chewing gum on nitrate processing

Chewing gum with sugar after drinking beet juice may temporarily increase the formation of nitrites and slightly lower blood pressure. This was reported on July 14 in the journal Science Daily.

Nitrates are found in beetroot, spinach, kale, and other vegetables. After ingestion, oral bacteria convert them into nitrites, which promote relaxation and dilation of blood vessels.

Scientists have suggested that an increase in saliva acidity may affect this process. To test the hypothesis, healthy volunteers drank a portion of beetroot juice, after which they chewed gum with sugar or its sugar–free analog for three to six hours.

The study was conducted in a cross-sectional pattern. Each participant completed both stages of the experiment with an interval of at least one week. During the follow-up, the specialists took blood and saliva samples, as well as measured blood pressure.

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Chewing gum with sugar reduced the pH of saliva by 1.4 points compared to the sugar-free version. The content of nitrites in the oral cavity increased by 45%, and their level in the body increased by 25%. The participants' systolic blood pressure decreased by almost 3 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure decreased by about 2 mmHg compared to the results after using sugar—free gum.

Senior author of the study, Andrew Webb, explained that the acidity of saliva can influence the conversion of inactive nitrate into more active nitrite. This process is important for the regulation of blood pressure and other physiological functions. According to him, the effect lasted only for a few hours.

Scientists do not recommend using sugary gum regularly to control blood pressure, as frequent sugar consumption harms teeth and can negatively affect metabolism. The results are considered as confirmation of the fundamental possibility to improve the processing of food nitrates by changing the environment in the oral cavity.

Co-author Charlotte Mills noted that oral bacteria play an important role in converting the nitrates contained in vegetables into compounds that dilate blood vessels. According to her, it is necessary to develop methods that are safe for teeth and metabolism to enhance this process.

Natalia Efimova, Head of the Hygiene and Prevention Department at InWhite Medical and InWhite Medical Kids, spoke on June 27 about how to use chewing gum correctly, as well as the value of xylitol in its composition for the health of teeth and gums. The benefits of xylitol are primarily due to the fact that it noticeably increases salivation.