New British research claims that the action of chewing gum could make people smarter, targeting memory.
Although chewing gum is condemned in many schools, a study carried out by the University of Northumbria and the Cognitive Research unit in Reading, has discovered that it improves performance during thinking and memory tasks. Andrew Scholey of the university’s Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit told reporters; 'The results were extremely clear and specifically we found that chewing gum targeted memory. People recalled more words and performed better in tests on working memory.'
Short-term memory, such as recalling an image, and working memory, such as remembering a phone number, were both tested. It is the simple action of repetitive chewing that has the positive effect, so the flavour of the gum does not matter.
So why is chewing gum still disallowed in school?
Head of year 11, Helen Bean, told us that she had not heard about the theory that chewing gum boosts brainpower, after offering us a piece. 'It is banned from school because it defaces property... paths are stained with chewing gum marks,' she explained. Pupils' own property is also damaged, leading to complaint from parents. Some teachers also feel that the sight of pupils chewing gum may give the school a casual appearance. But the ban on chewing gum fails to discourage students from consuming it.
Natalie Shoham, Annabelle Hallam
14th March 2002