Chewing gum: cognitive performance, mood, well-being, and associated physiology

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Chewing gum has been anecdotally linked to improved focus and mood.
• Understanding the mechanisms behind these effects is crucial for workplace applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chewing gum on attention, mood, and work performance.
• To explore the impact of chewing rate and force on cognitive function.
• To examine the physiological and psychological outcomes of chewing gum during a workday.

Main Methods:

• Four studies were conducted: two experiments and two intervention studies.
• Studies involved assessing mood, attention, productivity, and cognitive function.
• Physiological measures including heart rate and cortisol levels were recorded.

Main Results:

• Chewing gum increased alertness and improved sustained attention, irrespective of task completion.
• Chewing rate and force showed limited effects on attention but not mood.
• Gum use during work correlated with higher productivity, fewer cognitive issues, and elevated morning cortisol.

Conclusions:

• Chewing gum can effectively counteract declines in alertness, thereby enhancing worker performance.
• The findings suggest practical applications for chewing gum in improving workplace outcomes.
• Further research can explore optimal chewing parameters for cognitive enhancement.