Spearmint Gum

While chewing gums come in a variety of flavors nowadays, the fact remains that the spearmint flavor was one of the first to start the rage. The oil of the spearmint plant was used to make this delicious gum more than a century ago and it still is undoubtedly one of the best loved chewing gums of all times, which simply refuses to go out of public taste. The uses of spearmint leaves can also be expanded in preparing spearmint tea.

Spearmint Gum Flavor

It has enjoyed a range of uses, since its inception over a hundred years ago. So if you want to freshen your breath after a meal, or whether you simply want to enjoy the nice minty taste of the gum, the spearmint flavor is a hot favorite. It's mojo is the mentha spicata - the spearmint - which is a species of mint common in Europe and south-west Asia. The oil of this plant is used in making the gum. The spearmint plant grows up to 24 to 30 feet tall and may or may not have hair on its stem.

The cultivators of the spearmint plant know the secret, that the aroma and the flavor of the spearmint can be best enjoyed before the plant flowers. At the time of flowering, the aroma starts reducing.

Spearmint was perhaps first commercially sold by under the Wrigley's brand. It was their second brand in their chewing gum range, right after juicy fruit. The spearmint range of flavors came into production in 1893. As the story gos, Spearmint was taken off the market by the company in 1944, during America's involvement in the World War II, since the company president Philip Wrigley did not want to provide poor-quality gum to the consumers during that time. After the War, in 1946, Spearmint was back.

Spearmint Gum Ingredients

It contains sugar, destrose, gum base and corn syrup. The agents used for flavoring include Glyerol, Soy Lecithin, Apartame, Acesulfame K, added colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake) and BHT. Spearmint gum is not recommended for phenylketonurics as it contains phenylalanine.

Spearmint Gum Facts

Let's start with the nutrition facts. One stick has about 10 calories. There is no sodium, fat or protein whatsoever, but there are 2 g of sugar based carbohydrates.

Here are some other interesting facts.

• It is widely agreed that chewing gum helps people concentrate in what they are doing. Michael Jordan himself had chewing gum during games to help him concentrate.
• Ever since that revelation, the NBA has found itself a chewing gum sponsor, Wrigley's!
• Chewing gum is also said to improve memory so it is perhaps one of the best foods to make you smarter.
• A lot of research has taken place on whether spearmint affects the sperm count and the results state that consuming spearmint does indeed affect the free testosterone level, but the total testosterone and DHEA levels remain unchanged.
• The BHT in spearmint gum is a suspected carcinogen, but the verdict isn't out on that just yet.
• The spearmint flavor is not only restricted to chewing gums but is also used in chewy drags like Mentos.

As you can see there are quite a few benefits of the spearmint gum to behold as it improves memory and concentration. So enjoy this very famous type of gum today!