Comments on: Early Humans Chewed Gum http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/ Serving up health and fitness insights (daily, of course) with a side of irreverence. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:18:45 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Mark http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6817 Mark Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:45:29 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6817 I am reminded that it was "spruce" - not pine - gum, for what it's worth. I am reminded that it was “spruce” – not pine – gum, for what it’s worth.

]]> By: Mark http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6789 Mark Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:37:04 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6789 <p>I have never been a big fan of alcohol sugars (they usually taste REALLY fake to me) but there is pretty decent research on safety. </p> <p>Meanwhile, when I was a kid growing up in Maine, we used to chew gum made from pine tree pitch that had dried/hardened on the tree. Tasted "medicinal" and was more a badge of courage than any intent to "double one's pleasure."</p> I have never been a big fan of alcohol sugars (they usually taste REALLY fake to me) but there is pretty decent research on safety.

Meanwhile, when I was a kid growing up in Maine, we used to chew gum made from pine tree pitch that had dried/hardened on the tree. Tasted “medicinal” and was more a badge of courage than any intent to “double one’s pleasure.”

]]> By: john http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6786 john Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:27:40 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6786 Wow, that is crazy, crazy info. Wow, that is crazy, crazy info.

]]> By: Sara http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6785 Sara Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:04:57 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6785 No, Crystal, thank you for adding that great info :) No, Crystal, thank you for adding that great info :)

]]> By: Crystal http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6782 Crystal Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:04:09 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6782 Sorry Sara, didn't see you there. Some sugar alcohols do impact insulin. To me it's not worth the bloat. Others have no reaction. Why? Sorry Sara, didn’t see you there. Some sugar alcohols do impact insulin. To me it’s not worth the bloat. Others have no reaction. Why?

]]> By: Crystal http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6781 Crystal Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:00:35 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6781 Oxybeles~ Sugar alcohols are not sugars or alcohol. They are used to replace sugar lowering calories and the effects on blood sugar. A lot of sugar free gum and candy use sugar alcohols. (malitol, sorbitol, lacitol, erthritol, etc.) If it ends in "ol", good chance it is a sugar alcohol. It is not absorbed in the intestines which can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating, etc. Everyone reacts differently but I try to avoid these. The packages really should have a bigger warning sign since some people become very ill from eating sugar free candy! Oxybeles~
Sugar alcohols are not sugars or alcohol. They are used to replace sugar lowering calories and the effects on blood sugar. A lot of sugar free gum and candy use sugar alcohols. (malitol, sorbitol, lacitol, erthritol, etc.) If it ends in “ol”, good chance it is a sugar alcohol. It is not absorbed in the intestines which can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating, etc. Everyone reacts differently but I try to avoid these. The packages really should have a bigger warning sign since some people become very ill from eating sugar free candy!

]]> By: Sara http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6779 Sara Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:50:51 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6779 (not that Splenda is a sugar alcohol; my point was that a little bit of "cheating" now and then with sugar substitutes is okay in my book. Not everyone feels that way.) (not that Splenda is a sugar alcohol; my point was that a little bit of “cheating” now and then with sugar substitutes is okay in my book. Not everyone feels that way.)

]]> By: Sara http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6778 Sara Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:48:37 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6778 Alcohol sugars are great, aside from the fact that they give you gas. ;) They are still carbs, but because they do not appreciably spike blood sugar (glycemic index), they're considered o.k. for diabetics and those on the low-carb lifestyle. However I don't know that they still wouldn't impact insulin; alcoholics are prone to diabetes, aren't they? I know Mark is in the midst of working on a big piece about insulin index vs. glycemic index in the coming weeks so I don't want to slaughter it. Not sure about the exact science. At any rate, I think it's best to eliminate sugar cravings as much as possible, but I personally use a little Splenda and don't think it's the end of the world if you eat things with alcohol sugars now and then. But that's just me. Alcohol sugars are great, aside from the fact that they give you gas. ;)

They are still carbs, but because they do not appreciably spike blood sugar (glycemic index), they’re considered o.k. for diabetics and those on the low-carb lifestyle. However I don’t know that they still wouldn’t impact insulin; alcoholics are prone to diabetes, aren’t they? I know Mark is in the midst of working on a big piece about insulin index vs. glycemic index in the coming weeks so I don’t want to slaughter it. Not sure about the exact science. At any rate, I think it’s best to eliminate sugar cravings as much as possible, but I personally use a little Splenda and don’t think it’s the end of the world if you eat things with alcohol sugars now and then. But that’s just me.

]]> By: Oxybeles http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6775 Oxybeles Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:22:20 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6775 I knew our ancestors chewed gum, I just knew it. Agree with Sara, as one has to use moderation. On a side note, The new Wrigley gum, "5," is indicated to be sugarfree, contains Sugar Alcohol and aspartame. Can someone explain the difference between sugars and sugar alcohol. I knew our ancestors chewed gum, I just knew it.

Agree with Sara, as one has to use moderation.

On a side note, The new Wrigley gum, “5,” is indicated to be sugarfree, contains Sugar Alcohol and aspartame.

Can someone explain the difference between sugars and sugar alcohol.

]]> By: Sara http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6773 Sara Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:05:28 +0000 http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gum/#comment-6773 Question: is chewing gum good for relieving stress or does it aggravate the jaw muscles/tendons? (Or did I just answer my own question...moderation.) Question: is chewing gum good for relieving stress or does it aggravate the jaw muscles/tendons? (Or did I just answer my own question…moderation.)

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