Researchers have demonstrated that after abdominal surgery, those who chewed gum for 1 hour 3 times a day returned to normal bowel function much faster than those who did not chew gum. You can get the same benefit from eating and drinking, but that often causes nausea.

Jeffrey Drebin, M.D., Professor and Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery and a well-known expert on the pancreas, told the newsletter, "Chewing gum doesn't put as much in your system if you're not ready for it, yet it might help stimulate intestinal activity. I encourage my patients to chew gum as soon as they're awake enough not to choke on it."

A 2002 Japanese study showed gum-chewing patients had faster recovery after laparoscopic colon surgery. At the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, it was found that those who had conventional large incision surgery and chewed gum during recovery moved their bowels 26 hours before other patients.

Chewing gum also relieves heartburn. It stimulates the production of saliva, which neutralizes acid, just as an antacid does. And a study sponsored by the Wrigley Company found that gum chewers ate less, as it apparently dulls the appetite.

The Consumer Reports on Health Newsletter left out one important dental use of gum: The fact that it aids in the production of saliva makes it helpful for those suffering from dry mouth.

Sugarless gum is an option to avoid the tooth cavities that conventional gum with its sugar encourages.