Chewing Gum Linked To Migraines In Teens And Children

Chewing gum frequently can lead to migraines in teens and children, Tel Aviv University researchers found in a new study.

Chewing gum is very popular among teenagers and children. However, researchers from Tel Aviv University have found that not only chewing gum is bad for health because it contains high sugar content, it also increases the risk of migraines in children and teens, according to Daily Mail.

Researchers noted that this new findings can help treat countless cases of migraine and tension headaches in adolescents without the need for additional testing or medication.

"Out of our 30 patients, 26 reported significant improvement, and 19 had complete headache resolution," the tabloid quoted Dr Nathan Watemberg of Tel Aviv University-affiliated Meir Medical Center as saying. "Twenty of the improved patients later agreed to go back to chewing gum, and all of them reported an immediate relapse of symptoms."

For the study, researchers recruited 30 patients between the ages of six and 19. The participants all chewed gum for at least an hour to up to six hours per day. The participants were asked to skip gum for one month.

Six of the study subjects reported improvements in their migraines when they stopped chewing gum. Nineteen of the 26 participants had complete headache resolution. The researchers then asked the same group of 26 patients who previously reported improvement in their migraines to start chewing gum. These patients stated that their migraines symptoms returned.

The mechanism behind how chewing gum results in migraine problems is yet to be determined though researchers of the study speculate that gum chewing places extra stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the meeting point between the jaw and the skull.

"Every doctor knows that overuse of the TMJ will cause headaches," said Dr. Watemberg according to Medical Xpress. "I believe this is what's happening when children and teenagers chew gum excessively."

Previous studies noted that aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener, often used in sugar-free products, may be the underlying cause of migraines. However, Watemberg highlighted that the amount of aspartame in chewing gum is too low to cause this side effect. The researchers recommend teenagers and young children to take a break from gum if they suffer from migraines and headaches.

The study was published in Pediatric Neurology.