There’s a saying “Confession is good for the soul.” (Even though that’s not quite the entire phrase, stick with me on this, will you please?) Since I’m confident it will be good for my soul, I have a confession to make.
I … chew … gum. Yes, I do. (Yes, even at my age.) And, I … blow … bubbles.
For as long as I can remember, the conventional wisdom on gum-chewing is that this is a nasty and undesirable habit. Furthermore, chewing gum was often said to demonstrate a level of crudeness and vulgarity that isn’t welcome in polite society.
An article posted earlier this year on the ABC News website is titled Six Gross Effects of Chewing Gum. It’s the kind of article (written by a Prevention magazine writer) designed to discourage perceived filthy habits by noting all the possible harm that might be caused by chewing gum. Naturally, the article adopts a conversational tone, while at the same time, vigorously shaking a figurative index finger at the reader.
Because I’m a fairly compliant individual, you’d think I would have followed the “healthful” conventional wisdom, but I guess my rebellious nature continues untamed to this day. Not only do I enjoy chewing gum, most often I prefer bubble gum!
The purported consequences (remember, there are at least six gross effects mentioned by the above-referenced writer) seem less of a concern to me. I experience no IBS, no junk food binges, no TMJ, no rotted teeth (just got a clean bill of health from the dentist earlier today), nor chronic illnesses/mental disorders as a result of lifelong gum chewing. Yes, I have headaches, but they’re related to other issues. Continue reading “Bubble Headed?”