“A joint study carried out by the University of Northumbria and the Cognitive Research Unit in England has found that the act of chewing gum improves short- and long-term memory by up to 35 percent,” The Washington Times reports.

“[…] The key to better brain power is the repetitive chewing motion, according to the study, which was presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference in Blackpool earlier this week.”

‘The results were extremely clear, and specifically we found that chewing gum targeted memory,’ said Andrew Scholey, a scientist with the university’s human cognitive neuroscience unit who carried out the study. ‘People recalled more words and performed better in tests on working memory.’

Why does chewing gum stimulate one’s memory?

Scientists don’t know for sure, but they are working on two theories. One theory is that the gentle exercise of chewing raises a person’s heart rate, which increases the flow of oxygen to the brain. Another theory is that chewing triggers the release of insulin, a natural chemical that stimulates a section of the brain involved in memory.

The results of the study were welcomed by chewing-gum manufacturers worldwide, who said they always had known there were positive benefits to chewing gum.

This means that — but for the constant gum snapping — just about every girl I dated in junior high and high school would have had difficulty tying her own shoes…

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