Chewing sugar-free gum helps cut down calorie intake at lunch and boosts energy expenditure among individuals, a study says.

The study was led by Kathleen J. Melanson, associate professor of nutrition and food sciences, University of Rhode Island.

Chewing gum in the morning reduces calorie intake at lunch by 68 calories. Participants did not report greater hunger, nor compensate by increasing their calorie intake later in the day.

When participants chewed gum, they reported feeling less hungry, as compared to when they did not chew gum. When they chewed gum with a relaxed, natural pace before and after eating, their energy expenditure increased.

When participants chewed gum before eating, their energy expenditure was higher by approximately five percent, as compared to when they did not chew gum.

When participants chewed gum after eating, their energy expenditure was also higher by five percent, as compared to when they did not chew gum.

Furthermore, with gum chewing, subjects reported reduced weariness and less perceived effort to do things, as compared to when they did not chew gum, says a Rhode release.

Overall, this study demonstrates the effects of chewing sugar-free gum on meal intake and energy expenditure, such that over a half-day about 62 calories could be `saved` by a total of one hour of relaxed gum chewing compared to not chewing gum.

These findings were presented at The Obesity Society`s annual scientific meeting.

Source: IANS