Do you know when the chewing gum was invented, in which state is it banned and is it of any use? In our selection you can find answers to all these questions and not only.
Few people know, but in 2018 the chewing gum anniversary, she will turn 170 years old. It was invented by the American John Curtis, and since that time she has undergone many modifications. At the same time people in Ancient Greece chewed mastic tree resin, and they did it for oral hygiene. The birthday of chewing gum is celebrated on September 23, and other interesting facts - later.
1. Prickly chewing gum
For the production of the first chewing gum in 1848, a resin of coniferous trees and paraffin flavors were used. At the same time, during the production, pine needles often hit the mass, which scraped the sky. The chewing gum was called "White Mountain", "Cream with Sugar" and "Lacrificial Lulu". A rubber band appeared in 1871, and it was so good that its inventor patented a machine for automatic production. To distribute the new product among buyers, it was delivered to stores for free.
2. Part of military rations
Few people know that in the soldier's rations during the Second World War was chewing gum "Orbit". It was believed that it helps the military to relax and fight stress.
3. Concentration of producers
Do you think that most companies producing chewing gum are in America? But this country is in second place. In fact, Turkey occupies a leading position.
4. Different kinds of chewing gum
Chewing gum is not only different in appearance (plates, pads and tubules), but also for its purpose and various additives. For example, the following options can be given:
- without sugar - during its production artificial sweeteners are used;
- with filler - rubber bands in the form of pads have inside the filler - a soft sweet mass;
- functional - the composition includes vitamins, minerals and other useful substances;
- medicinal - chewing gum contains substances necessary for a certain ailment (depending on the intended use), which are much faster in the blood than in the case of taking tablets;
- nicotinic - use this rubber to quit smoking, because it contains a lot of nicotine.
There are still chewing gums for slimming, teeth whitening, herbal, energy, dietary and so on.
5. Unusual chewing gum
In the Forbes ratings you can find a list of the most unusual chewing gums. It includes energy chewing gum, charging vivacity, like energy drinks (more than two pads can not be chewed). There is in this list and chewing gum, which dream cleaners and cleaners in many countries - rapidly disintegrating. It does not stick to the surface and is easily washed off with water.
6. A way to reduce appetite
Scientists have done a lot of research to establish that chewing gum helps to reduce appetite. This is explained by the fact that this process stimulates nerve endings, and they transmit a signal about satiety to the brain. In addition, it was proved that chewing gum accelerates the metabolism by about 20%.
7. Freshens breath?
Many buy chewing gum as a refresher, but in fact it does not help get rid of bad breath. Experiments have shown that the elastic band gives only a short-term effect, so it is almost useless.
8. Prophylaxis of caries
Many people think that chewing gum is harmful to the teeth, but in fact it can serve as a preventive measure of caries. The disease provokes the remnants of food that are clogged in the teeth. They can remove not only the gum, but also a large amount of saliva, which is actively excreted during chewing. If the problem already exists, then this method will not be effective.
9. Is it dangerous to swallow?
One of the most common horror stories that parents tell their children - you can not swallow the gum, because it remains in the digestive tract for seven years. Scientists have long denied this information, proving that the chewing gum passes through the intestine, not decomposing and not lingering.
10. The best time to chew
To the gum does not hurt, chew it after eating and not more than five minutes. It is proved that if this rule is not taken into account, then prolonged chewing will provoke abundant secretion of saliva and gastric juice, which, when ingested in an empty stomach, begins to eat itself. All this increases the risk of ulcers and gastritis. In addition, prolonged chewing gum has a destructive effect on bridges, crowns and seals.
11. Poor for memory
English psychologists have conducted research and found that chewing gum worsens short-term memory, which is used for momentary orientation. When a person switches to chewing, it becomes more diffused, so do not use chewing gum in situations where concentration is important.
12. Chewing Gum Recipe
Today the production of almost all products, including chewing gum, is automated. It is prepared by one formula using different ingredients: 20% rubber, 60% granulated sugar or substitute, 19% corn syrup and 1% flavor.
13. The most popular taste
The range of flavors of chewing gum is huge, and it is regularly replenished. According to surveys and sales analysis, it was possible to establish that the most popular are gum with taste of mint, eucalyptus and cinnamon.
14. Rescue band
A unique case occurred in 1911, when a small crack appeared in the "water plane" of the aircraft engine that flew over England, but it could cause a catastrophe. To remedy the situation, an unexpected exit was invented - the place of damage was sealed with chewing gum, which allowed to make a safe landing.
15. The first inserts
For the first time in packing to the chewing gum began to put liners in the 30-ies of the twentieth century. They were depicted popular at the time, athletes, and in time - and show business stars. Their company Hamilton Chewing Gum Ltd. was issued. People like this innovation very much, so the liners have been used on an ongoing basis. From that time, people began to collect them. Now rare copies are sold at auctions, and their price reaches € 1 thousand.
16. A chain of candy wrappers
There is a record associated not with an elastic band, but with candy wrappers. Of these, an incredibly long chain was made in America. Created it by Gary Dulchem. Its length was more than 27 m, and for work was used more than 2 million candy wrappers. He did not stop at the result achieved and continues to increase the length of the chain.
17. A huge amount of chewing gum
It is difficult to imagine these volumes, but every year around 100 tons of chewing gum are bought all over the world.
18. Huge Bubbles
Bubble bubbles people began to inflate after the famous company "Dubble Bubble" held a television contest. The task of the participants is to cheat the biggest bubble from the chewing gum. The record, recorded by the studio "ABC" in the US, was 58.5 cm. The American Susan Montgomery was able to inflate such a bubble.
19. An unusual attraction
In California, among local residents and tourists, the wall for chewing gums, where everyone can leave a mark, is popular. The chewing gums are attached in several layers, creating an unusual composition. This architectural structure was not at all easy, as it was installed so that people do not pollute the sidewalk with elastic bands, which are very difficult to clean. There is a similar structure in Seattle, where the walls of the Market Theater are glued over with chewing gum.
20. The chewing gum is banned
When vandalism among young people increased due to the economic upsurge in Singapore, in the early 1980s, public workers faced major problems in clearing city streets, elevators and other areas from chewing gum. In 1983, the Prime Minister proposed banning chewing gum, but officially the ban was introduced only in 1992. The police punish everyone who threw out an elastic band or candy wrappers in public places.
The import of this product has also significantly decreased. Due to pressure from America in 2004, the Government of Singapore made concessions and allowed the use of chewing gum for therapeutic purposes. Tourists can not bring into the country more than two packs of chewing gum, otherwise they can be caught in smuggling.