Is chewing the secret to staying more alert?

Ever notice how you feel more alert when you’re chewing gum? Turns out it may not be your imagination. Research suggests chewing can make you feel more focused and alert for short periods of time.

The reason? When you chew – gum, food or otherwise – it triggers the nerves in your jaw and face to activate the part of your brain involved in attention and focus. This can provide a temporary mental boost when you need to tackle a demanding task.

Why does chewing help you stay alert?

Chewing stimulates pathways linked to wakefulness and concentration. The simple act of chewing your food even dilates your pupils, suggesting your brain may be working in a more engaged state.

“Based on the studies, the evidence is modest that chewing impacts alertness improvement, but it’s a simple and low-risk strategy that can help cognitively demanding tasks,” says Dr. Jigar Mankad, a neurologist at Aurora Health Care. “Experimental studies have also shown chewing increases task-related pupil dilatation, which could improve cognitive task performance.”

Why is chewing different from other movements?

Although chewing may seem like just another repetitive movement, it’s unique because it engages more than muscles alone. The nerves triggered by jaw movement send a steady stream of signals to the brain.

“Chewing is a simple task but different compared to repeated movement of hand or foot,” Dr. Mankad adds. “Other motor activities, such as moving hands or feet, activate the frontal cortex but don’t affect the reticular activation system.”

The cognitive benefits of chewing don’t last forever though. They end when you spit out the gum or swallow the food. Chewing will not prevent cognitive decline over the long term.

The good news? You can pick any flavor, and the benefits will be the same.

“Some people claim that chewing a specific flavor helps more than the other, but studies don’t show any significant change comparing flavor or no flavor,” Dr. Mankad says.

Just remember: Chewing won’t replace healthy habits like getting enough sleep, exercise or eating a healthy diet, but it might help you stay mentally engaged when you need a little extra help focusing.

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