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Flavour-enhanced cortisol release during gum chewing.
Yoko Hasegawa1, Yoshihisa Tachibana2, Takahiro Ono3
1Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Plos One
|April 6, 2017
Summary
Chewing gum
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Sensory science
Background:
- Chronic stress impacts health.
- Chewing gum's effect on stress is debated.
- Taste and odor influence stress perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how chewing gum's taste and odor affect stress.
- Examine salivary cortisol levels in relation to gum flavor.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for salivary cortisol.
- 96 adult subjects chewed gum with varying taste/odor profiles.
- Subjects self-reported gum flavor perception.
Main Results:
- Salivary cortisol levels varied with gum flavor intensity.
- Highest cortisol observed with most flavorful gum.
- Lowest cortisol observed with least flavorful gum.
Conclusions:
- Salivary cortisol during gum chewing may indicate positive emotions.
- This response could facilitate coping with stress.
- Flavor intensity influences the cortisol response to chewing gum.