NEW ORLEANS, Apr 22, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A U.S. study indicates chewing
gum can have a positive effect on teenagers' academic performance.
Previous research conducted in a laboratory setting showed gum chewing can help
reduce stress, improve alertness and relieve anxiety.
Study leader Craig A. Johnston of the Children's Nutrition Research Center at
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston said the current study provides a possible
role for chewing gum in helping to improve academic performance in a "real life"
classroom setting.
The study reports:
-- The researchers found that students who chewed gum showed an increase in
standardized math test scores and their final grades were better compared with
those who didn't chew gum.
-- Students who chewed gum had a significantly greater increase in their
standardized math test scores after 14 weeks of chewing gum in math class and
while doing homework compared with those who did not chew gum.
-- Chewing gum was associated with a 3 percent increase in standardized math
test scores, a small but statistically significant change.
The study was presented at the American Society for Nutrition annual meeting at
Experimental Biology 2009 in New Orleans.
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