When the trial results were combined, patients who chewed gum took an average of .66 fewer days to pass flatus (gas) and an average of 1.10 fewer days to have a bowel movement, both signs of returning intestinal function. “Postoperative length of hospital stay was assessed in four trials comprising 134 patients,” the authors write. “This was also reduced in the chewing gum group by longer than one day; however, this result was not statistically significant.”

Gum chewing is thought to act as a kind of “sham feeding,” stimulating nerves in the digestive system, triggering the release of gastrointestinal hormones and increasing the production of saliva and secretions from the pancreas, the authors note.

The data doesn’t look that impressive, one needs to consider the potentials on a large scale basis; imagine the impact of reduction in hospital stay (even if just a day less!) on the healthcare system. And with such a simple and cheap solution, too!

Post from: Blisstree

Chewing Gum May Speed Up Recovery from Colon Surgery

Authors of the paper published in Urology evaluated 102 patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery and gave half of them 5 pieces of chewing gum per day after their operation. Chewing the gum is thought to stimulate the smooth muscle fibers and secretion from the salivary glands and liver. The 51 patients who chewed gum recovered their bowel movement significantly faster than those who did not.

Pediatric Urologist, Kropp will be giving his patients undergoing reconstructive surgery a piece of gum following their operation. He says, “ In today’s high-tech, molecular-driven scientific world, it is nice to come across an article that can be implemented immediately into our practices without increased healthcare cost”.

Kropp also adds, “Just think how much a pack of gum would cost today had the pharmaceutical industry come across this information first”.

I have the feeling we soon have to re-think the meaning of junk food and candy.

Post from: Blisstree

Chewing Gum Improves Post-Operative Bowel Function