Acute otitis media is prevented with chewing gum

• April 30, 2024

According to the analysis of several studies conducted by the University of Toronto, chewing gum containing the sweetener xylitol can reduce the risk of infections by ear, in particular from the acute otitis media .

The otitis is the infection More common in children who are prescribed antibiotics in the United States, and according to Dr. Amir Azarpazhooh, assistant professor of dentistry at the University of Toronto, chewing gum would reduce the use of syrups and pills.

For its part, xylitol is an alcohol sweetener, commonly used as sugar substitute and it is found naturally in mushrooms, yeasts and in a large amount of fruits and vegetables.

Children who chewed gum containing xylitol were 25 percent less likely to develop infections of the ear, compared with children who chewed a placebo gum or took syrup, according to the review of previous studies.

Unlike sugar, xylitol can not be used as an energy source in many of the bacteria that cause cavities and the infections by ear, like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, because it reduces the ability to adhere to the airways and grow.

Although researchers will continue the studies on the matter, many consider chewing gum with xylitol as a promising preventive measure, because it is a natural form of sugar and because it would avoid the complications of the use of some antibiotics. And you, how often do you consume chewing gum?

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