What Is a Gum Base?
Gum is a tough, solid, non-tartar gum designed specifically so that it can be chewed comfortably without actually swallowing the entire piece. Modern gum consists of gum shell, gum base, additives, flavors, colors, and usually, a hard powder or plastic coating. Gum is also a member of the category of mucus-producing glands. The name 'gum' comes from the Greek word 'gumha', which means 'to cover'. This is because most modern-made gum is covered with a sticky substance (such as gum wax).
Since ancient times, people have chewed on chicle or mealy leaves to clean teeth and keep cavities and loose teeth at bay. Today, modern dentists use specialized equipment called electronic toothbrush or dental floss to do the same thing. It is thought that ancient people chewed on herbal leaves as part of their oral hygiene practices. It has been suggested that chewing gums gave them a taste for spices, which in turn may have helped them gain an understanding of more complex tastes.
The earliest recorded use of chewing gum was by the ancient Chinese. Some researchers even suggest that the practice originated with the ancient Mayans. The practice was adopted from China into ancient Greece, and then into Rome. At that time, Greek herbal specialists developed what we now call gums. For instance, basil, marjoram, and mint were added to the Greek gums in order to add flavor and aroma to beverages.
Later during the medieval period, Italian scientists developed the first types of gums made from different kinds of herbs, spices, and botanicals, with added flavors, nuts, and sweeteners. During this time, tartar and chalk became added to the composition. This, together with the regular gum prepared from almonds, hazelnuts, chestnuts, peppercorn, caraway, and sassafras, made a variety of different flavored gums that could be taken as a beverage or used for chewing. The first sweeteners included substances like honey, cloves, and sugar, but later substances such as lactose, molasses, and amaranth made it into the mix, too.
In recent years, there has been a growing tendency towards eating chicle as an everyday treat. Chewing gums are made from the chicle plant (also known as chicle powder) which grows wild across many parts of North America and Europe. The plant is relatively easy to grow, doesn't need much maintenance, and is high in both protein and vitamin C. Among the health benefits associated with chicle are that it helps improve digestion, boosts the immune system, reduces bad cholesterol levels, and lowers blood pressure. However, research has also shown that chicle has some anti-cancer properties, particularly when it is chewed after being exposed to sunlight. Other research has suggested that chewing on chicle may also help reduce skin problems including psoriasis and eczema.
While there is no hard and fast rule regarding whether you should eat your gum base with nuts, it's worth noting that many health food stores stock them. Some even have ready to use bars. You can find this in your local grocery store as well as health food stores, but it may take a little searching. If you don't have access to these types of ready to use bars, you can find a range of different brands of gums prepared from different mixes of ingredients online. As always, if you have any concerns whatsoever about whether a food is good for you, read the ingredients on the label very carefully before buying and eating.
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