05.01.04
Is Big Red the next functional food fad? Scientists in the U.S. claim the natural flavors found in the chewing gum brand manufactured by gum giant Wrigley’s could beat the bacteria that causes bad breath… “Our study shows that chewing gum can be a functional food, having a significant impact on oral hygiene over the short term, if it contains anti-microbial agents such as cinnamic aldehyde or other natural active compounds,” said Christine Wu, professor of periodontics at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study. Presenting her findings at a recent conference Wu said that because gum contains cinnamic aldehyde, a plant essential oil used for flavoring, the result was not surprising. Research already carried out on natural antibacterial agents from plant sources that suppress oral pathogens had found they inhibited the growth of bacteria responsible for cavities and periodontal infections.
—Foodnavigator.com, 1/4/04
—Foodnavigator.com, 1/4/04