For many people, chewing gum is important. For some, it is a source of comfort. The whole chewing action is rather pleasing.
For others, it is a way to satiate hunger pangs, and for most, it is a way to freshen your breath. But, what happens if you are fasting? Will chewing gum break a fast? Let’s take a look.
Fast Facts: Chewing on chewing gum will technically break a fast. It doesn’t matter whether it is your standard sugar-laden chewing gum or sugar-free chewing gum. Both will trigger the insulin response, albeit in different ways.
Can Chewing Gum Break a Fast?
So, what does it mean when you are breaking a fast? Well, breaking a fast involves your pancreas releasing insulin into the bloodstream.
Insulin is released into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are higher than normal.
When you are fasting, you are essentially shutting down that insulin release process, which can help you to lose weight.
Eating most things will cause that insulin response. Chewing gum is no exception here.
Chewing on chewing gum will technically break a fast. It doesn’t matter whether it is your standard sugar-laden chewing gum or sugar-free chewing gum. Both will trigger the insulin response, albeit in different ways.
Now, we know that there are some people out there that will say that sugar-free won’t break a fast. However, it does.
Not in the same way, but studies have shown that the insulin response is still triggered in the body.
That being said, chewing gum isn’t exactly the most calorie-laden product in the world, and you aren’t going to be eating it.
So, while it may trigger a slight insulin response in the body (and thus break the fast), it probably isn’t going to be anything that you should worry about. At least with most fasting diets.
Consuming a couple of sticks of chewing gum throughout the day isn’t going to undo all of that hard work.
In fact, we would argue that chewing on chewing gum will actually make things a little bit easier for you, particularly if this is your first time fasting.
After all, chewing gum can keep the hunger pangs at bay. It tastes of something, and a lot of people will use it to get through their day.
Can You Chew Gum While Fasting?
Yes. All chewing gums will break your fast (even sugar-free gum). However, it is going to be doing it in a negligible way.
It isn’t going to prevent you from losing weight from your intermittent fasting.
We recommend that you steer clear of any chewing gum that contains xylitol.
have shown that xylitol will stimulate the digestive system, which is the last thing that you want happening when you are fasting.
These products also tend to be much higher in calories too, even if they are marketed as sugar-free.
You will also want to avoid using chewing gum if you are on a water fast. Some people report that it will undo any hard work during a water fast.
However, for your standard fast, you should be fine with it. At least, if it does have an impact, the impact is going to be so small that it probably isn’t going to be worth worrying about.
Final Thoughts
Chewing gum will break a fast. Technically. This means all types of gum. Just because something is marketed as sugar-free, it doesn’t mean that it won’t break your fast. It will.
However, this doesn’t mean that you need to avoid chewing gum while fasting.
As long as you limit yourself to a couple of sticks per day (perhaps to freshen your breath, or keep the worst of the hunger at bay), then you should be fine consuming it.
You may even find that it makes getting through your fast a bit easier.
