Chewing Gum for Eating Habits

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Must not be taking: Appetite suppressants

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Lactose intolerance, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 sessions (60 minutes each)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether chewing gum before meals can help people eat less by making them feel full faster. Participants will chew cinnamon gum, mint chocolate chip gum, or no gum before eating ice cream, in varying orders. It is suitable for non-smokers who are of normal weight and enjoy mint chocolate chip ice cream. The study aims to determine if gum can help control eating habits without altering diets or physical activity. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could lead to new, non-invasive methods for managing eating habits.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking any medication that influences appetite, you will need to stop taking it to participate in this trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that cinnamon-flavored chewing gum can cause mouth irritation, known as contact stomatitis. This irritation usually resolves once the gum is no longer used. However, consuming large amounts of cinnamon can lead to high levels of coumarin, which might harm the liver, especially in babies.

For mint chocolate chip gum, less information exists about safety issues. Concerns have been raised about the artificial sweeteners in these gums and their long-term safety. However, short-term studies have not identified specific problems linked to this type of gum.

In general, both types of gum have some safety considerations, but serious reactions are uncommon. It's always best to be aware of any personal allergies or sensitivities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Chewing Gum for Eating Habits trial because it explores how different flavors of gum might influence eating behaviors, especially in contexts like ice-cream sessions. Unlike standard approaches that focus directly on dietary changes or medications, this trial examines a simple, everyday activity—chewing gum—as a potential tool for modifying eating habits. By testing unique flavors like Cinnamon and Mint Chocolate Chip, researchers hope to find out if these flavors can make a difference in eating patterns when compared to not chewing gum at all. This innovative approach could provide an easy, accessible way to support healthier eating behaviors.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for eating habits?

This trial will evaluate the effects of different types of gum on eating habits. Participants will follow different orders of gum chewing sessions, including Cinnamon gum (C), Mint Chocolate Chip gum (MCC), and a no-gum condition. Studies have shown that chewing gum can help control appetite and reduce snacking. Chewing cinnamon gum might manage metabolism and decrease hunger by boosting leptin levels, which promote a feeling of fullness. Research has indicated that cinnamon can also aid in weight loss and lowering body mass index (BMI). For mint chocolate chip gum, evidence suggests it can reduce hunger and the urge to eat, aiding in appetite control. Chewing gum has been shown to lower snack calorie intake by 36%. These findings suggest that chewing either type of gum before meals could help reduce food intake. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 18-40, with a BMI of 18.5-24.9, who enjoy MCC ice cream and are non-smokers. Participants should not be on a diet (low restraint eaters), have no dietary-restricted health conditions, aren't pregnant or lactose-intolerant, and can stay in the area during the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I like MCC ice cream enough to eat it regularly.

My BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.

Unrestrained eater (scoring less than or equal to 12 on the restraint scale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire [TFEQ15])

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot chew gum for the required time in the study.

Lactose-intolerant

Score >16 on the Binge Eating Scale (BES10)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in gum chewing and ice cream consumption sessions to measure habituation and energy intake

3 sessions (60 minutes each)

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any changes in energy intake and satiation post-treatment

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• C (Cinnamon gum)
• MCC (Mint Chocolate Chip gum)
• NO GUM

Trial Overview The study tests if chewing different types of gum (Mint Chocolate Chip or Cinnamon) before eating affects how quickly people get used to the taste of food and therefore eat less during a meal compared to not chewing any gum.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Order 2 Active Control 3 Interventions

Gum chewing order for ice-cream sessions, 1-3 respectively: MCC, C, NO GUM

Group II: Order 3 Active Control 3 Interventions

Gum chewing order for ice-cream sessions, 1-3 respectively: C, NO GUM, MCC

Group III: Order 1 Active Control 3 Interventions

Gum chewing order for sessions, 1-3 respectively: NO GUM, MCC, C

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Lead Sponsor

Trials

93

Recruited

19,500+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10711575/

The effects of cinnamon supplementation on adipokines ... Cinnamon enhances leptin levels, improving metabolism, reducing obesity, and decreasing appetite (Friedman, 2011 ▶).

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35365881/

Cinnamon, an effective anti-obesity agent: Evidence from ... The results of this study showed that supplementation with cinnamon significantly reduces BMI and body weight. The impacts were greater in doses ...

3. files.eric.ed.gov files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1103302.pdf

The Effects of Chewing Cinnamon Flavored Gum on Mood, ... Chewing gum enhances test scores because the brain is able to store data faster into working memory. This is due to glucose entering the ...

4. bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40795-024-00916-z

The effect of cinnamon supplementation on eating disorder ... Our results showed that cinnamon consumption is associated with a decrease in the BES score, but this decrease was not significant. it may be ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-5-2013-9957c

Chewing Gum for Eating Habits · Info for Participants Research shows that chewing gum can help reduce snack intake and control appetite, as one study found that chewing gum reduced snack energy intake by 36 ...

6. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/odi.12170

Oral adverse reactions due to cinnamon‐flavoured ... Cinnamon-flavoured products (toothpaste, chewing gum, food, candy and mouthwash) can cause oral adverse reactions; among these, the most common is contact ...

7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24004186/

Oral adverse reactions due to cinnamon-flavoured chewing ... Cinnamon-flavored chewing gums can cause contact stomatitis (CCS), an oral adverse reaction. Symptoms can mimic other oral disorders, making diagnosis ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/7468081_A_Stomatitis_Due_to_Artificial_Cinnamon-Flavored_Chewing_Gum

A Stomatitis Due to Artificial Cinnamon-Flavored Chewing ... Recommended use is 5-10 g of cut leaves in boiled water per day, however, while generally safe, due to the potential allergic response that ...

9. bfr.bund.de bfr.bund.de/cm/349/consumers_who_eat_a_lot_of_cinnamon_currently_have_an_overly_high_exposure_to_coumarin.pdf

BfR Health Assessment No. 043/2006, 1 High cinnamon consumption leads to high coumarin exposure, which can cause hepatic damage. Infants have almost three times higher exposure than ...