gum for reflux relief

THE ONLY ALGINATE THERAPY CHEWING GUM

CHEW GUM AND SOOTHE

While various behavior changes, medications, and alginates are commonly recommended to manage reflux, one little known complimentary therapy provides tremendous benefit: Chewing gum!

Gum chewing has been shown to not only provide reflux relief, it also promotes better oral, cognitive, and digestive health.

Gum chewing has been shown to not only provide reflux relief, it also promotes better oral, cognitive, and digestive health. But not all gum is created equal. Reflux Gourmet’s Proprietary Alginate Complex, in concert with a chorus of natural gastrointestinal heroes such as sodium bicarbonate, ginger, celeriac, and aloe all come together to promote relief from reflux on the go with the world’s first functional alginate gum, created by our expert physicians.

what any gum can do

Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which plays a crucial role in neutralizing stomach acid. Saliva contains bicarbonate, the body’s natural antacid that helps to counteract the corrosive effects of stomach acid on the esophagus and throat. By encouraging saliva production, chewing gum effectively reduces the acidity in the throat and esophagus, providing relief from reflux.

Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes, allowing stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus and throat.

All that saliva production encourages more frequent swallowing. Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes, allowing stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus and throat. Swallowing helps to clear the throat and esophagus of gastric contents and prevents its prolonged exposure to the sensitive mucosal lining, reducing the likelihood of reflux damage. Therefore, the more you swallow, the more you are protected.

Gum chewing offers additional advantages for digestive health. The act of chewing stimulates the production of enzymes and gastric juices, preparing the stomach for digestion. It can also help to alleviate bloating and gas, promoting smoother digestion and further reducing the likelihood of reflux.

The act of chewing stimulates the production of enzymes and gastric juices, preparing the stomach for digestion.

Chewing gum after meals can also reach the corners of your mouth and clean the crevices of your teeth, gums, and tongue that are missed with brushing alone. This can reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease and help maintain good oral health. The enhanced saliva flow caused by gum chewing can also neutralize acid and protect the teeth and gums from harmful bacteria.

Last, but certainly not least, stress is a common trigger for acid reflux, as it can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system. The act of chewing gum has been found to have a relaxing effect on individuals, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. By relieving stress, gum chewing indirectly reduces the occurrence and severity of stress-induced acid reflux episodes.

What ONLY Reflux Gourmet’s Gxm Can Do

Alginates form a soothing film, or coating, that helps alleviate irritation and inflammation.

Taking a hint from mother nature, RxG GxM doubles down on the bicarbonate, further fighting the acid by reducing its corrosive effects on the throat and esophagus and minimizing incidences such as heartburn, chest pain, throat pain, and regurgitation. The all-natural baking soda in RxG GxM will also neutralize bad odors and freshen breath; as a bonus, baking soda is a known natural remedy for whitening teeth and some research suggests it may also soothe pain caused by canker sores.

Our experts recognize that reflux doesn’t occur in isolation, and our bodies are intricately connected systems. We have included aloe, celeriac root, and ginger to more comprehensively address digestive health. Aloe vera has known natural anti-inflammatory properties and recent research suggests that aloe vera may promote relief from and reduce the frequency of reflux. Celeriac (celery root) is a great source of fiber and serves as a prebiotic to provide fuel for the beneficial bacteria in your gut to optimize nutrient absorption and digestion. Celeriac is also rich in antioxidants which help fight free radicals that cause damage to cells that contribute to the development of chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Ginger is widely used as an antiemetic strong enough that it can help alleviate morning sickness with pregnancy and even ease nausea following cancer treatment. There is also evidence to suggest that ginger reduces inflammation, decreases gas, and promotes digestion.

And a little good news about weight management? Alginates have been clinically shown to promote satiety and may be an all-natural remedy to fend off the hunger pains associated with intermittent fasting. Research suggests that alginate supplementation may improve weight loss in obese individuals. Chewing GxM may also help you feel less hungry and experience fewer food cravings

RxG GxM. Soothe Yourself.

Thus, while gum chewing may seem like a simple and insignificant activity, it has proven to be a valuable tool in combating acid reflux and in promoting mental, oral, and gut health. The increased saliva production, enhanced esophageal clearance, acid neutralization, stress reduction, and overall improvement in oral and digestive health provide a simple adjunctive therapy for reflux, dental hygiene, and anxiety. And Reflux Gourmet’s proprietary GxM takes that therapy to a whole new level by coating and protecting your tender esophagus with our state-of-the-art proprietary alginate complex, boosting the acid buffering and protecting your teeth with sodium bicarbonate, and promoting gut and systemic health by utilizing the proven therapeutic properties of aloe vera, celeriac root, and ginger.

Even though gum chewing has been shown to help promote relief from reflux, it should not replace other recommended lifestyle modifications or medical regimes prescribed your treating physician.

HOW FUNCTIONAL GUM IS DIFFERENT

Functional gum is not candy. Unlike confectionary gum such as Wrigley’s and Bubbalicious that have no health benefits, functional gum contains active ingredients intended to help the chewer – this is what makes it a dietary supplement.

In order to protect the active ingredients and ensure their effectiveness, functional gum cannot be manufactured in the same way as candy gum. This means that you may notice that the supplement crumbles in your mouth when first chewed, and then gums together; or that the gum tablet is sensitive to temperature – becoming harder at colder temperatures; or that the gum itself is slightly stiffer than confectionary gum.

This is also why you will feel better!

References

Still curious? Check out these references for even more details.

Dodds MW, Johnson DA, Yousuf TH, et al. Salivary Functions in Mastication, Taste and Textures. J Oral Rehabil. 2017;44(8):645-652. doi:10.1111/joor.12494
Moazzez R, Bartlett D, Anggiansah A. The Effect of Chewing Sugar-free Gum on Gastro-esophageal Reflux. J Dent Res. 2005;84(11):1062-1065. doi:10.1177/154405910508401118
Farahmand F, Akbari ME, Mehrabi M, et al. The Effect of Chewing Gum on Esophageal Clearance of Refluxed Acid. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2013;7(2):75-79. doi:10.5681/joddd.2013.015
Scholey A, Haskell C, Robertson B, Kennedy D, Milne A, Wetherell M. Chewing gum alleviates negative mood and reduces cortisol during acute laboratory psychological stress. Physiol Behav. 2009;97(3-4):304-312. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.02.028
American Dental Association. Chewing Gum. Accessed May 20, 2023. [https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/chewing-gum]
Allen J, Tinling SP, Johnston N, Belafsky PC. The effects of pepsin and alginate in an animal model of squamous cell carcinoma. Presented at the 9th International Symposium on Human Pepsin (ISHP), April 2011, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Volume 33.
MacDonald J. Canker sore remedies: baking soda. CMAJ. 2002 Apr 2;166(7):884. PMID: 11949979; PMCID: PMC100914.
Birt D, From L, Main J. Diagnosis and management of long-standing benign oral ulceration. Laryngoscope. 1980 May;90(5 Pt 1):758-68. PMID: 6990140.
Yang M, Zhong X, Yuan Y. Does Baking Soda Function as a Magic Bullet for Patients With Cancer? A Mini Review. Integr Cancer Ther. 2020 Jan-Dec;19:1534735420922579. doi: 10.1177/1534735420922579. PMID: 32448009; PMCID: PMC7249593.
Panahi Y, Khedmat H, Valizadegan G, Mohtashami R, Sahebkar A. Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2015 Dec;35(6):632-6. doi: 10.1016/s0254-6272(15)30151-5. PMID: 26742306.
Georg Jensen M, Kristensen M, Astrup A. Effect of alginate supplementation on weight loss in obese subjects completing a 12-wk energy-restricted diet: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jul;96(1):5-13. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.025312. Epub 2012 May 30. PMID: 22648709.
Lindblad AJ, Koppula S. Ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2016 Feb;62(2):145. PMID: 26884528; PMCID: PMC4755634.
Viljoen E, Visser J, Koen N, Musekiwa A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutr J. 2014 Mar 19;13:20. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-13-20. PMID: 24642205; PMCID: PMC3995184.