Chewing gum can boost brain power

Chewing gum can help you concentrate for longer, according to scientists. The team from Cardiff University asked volunteers to listen to a list of numbers being read out for 30 minutes and note down whenever there was an odd-even-odd sequence. Those who chewed gum during the task had quicker reaction times and achieved more accurate results. Kate Morgan, of Cardiff University, whose findings are published in the British Journal of Psychology, said: “Interestingly participants who didn’t chew gum performed slightly better at the beginning of the task but were overtaken by the end. Chewing gum helps us focus on tasks that require continuous monitoring over a longer amount of time. Kate Morgan “This suggests that chewing gum helps us focus on tasks that require continuous monitoring over a longer amount of time.” It is thought that as many as eight areas of the brain are affected by the simple act of chewing. One theory to explain the better performance is that chewing leads to temporary improvements in blood flow to brain cells.