Chewing sugar-free gum between meals not only helps protect your teeth but a new study says it may also help reduce the food energy or kilojoules (KJ) you consume. University of Rhode Island researchers report that chewing sugar-free gum between meals may help reduce KJ intake at meal times and increase energy expenditure. In the 27 October presentation at the 2009 Obesity Society Annual Meeting in Washington DC, the US study team explained that when the 33 men and women in the study chewed gum for a total of one hour (three 20-minute sessions; one before and two after breakfast), they consumed 286 fewer KJ at lunch and did not compensate by eating more later on. Participants also reported feeling less hungry than when they did not chew gum. Lead researcher Dr Kathleen Melanson, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences, also found that when the volunteers chewed gum before and after eating, they expended about 5% more energy than when they did not chew gum. (The research was supported by an unrestricted grant from the Wrigley Science Institute™.) Commenting on the findings, Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia, said, “We know from previous studies that chewing sugar-free gum after lunch can help reduce the desire to snack on sweet foods in the afternoon. This new study adds further to this by showing that chewing gum may also help reduce KJ intake at a meal.” Any weight management programme should also include a healthy eating plan and regular exercise.