The study: Sixty people ranging in age from 18 to 54 were asked to consume a sweet and salty afternoon snack. In one phase of the study, the volunteers ate the snack after chewing a piece of sweetened gum; in the second phase, they skipped the gum and went straight for the snack. The researchers measured the participants' hunger, appetite and cravings immediately after lunch and then hourly throughout the afternoon.

The results:

• Chewing gum significantly reduced caloric intake by 25 calories and specifically reduced sweet snack intake by 39 calories, while salty snacks were decreased by 11 calories.
• Hunger and the desire to eat were significantly suppressed by chewing gum at one, two and three hour intervals after lunch.
• Participants reported that chewing gum improved their mood by reducing anxiety and stress and increasing contentment and relaxation.
• In a similar study among individuals not actively trying to manage their weight, chewing gum reduced snack intake by an average of 36 calories.
• Data combined from both studies found that chewing gum reduced intake of sweet snacks in particular by an average of 47 calories.

Since even small changes can have a considerable impact over the long term, study leader Marion Hetherington says chewing gum is a practical tool for appetite control and weight management.

The study findings were presented to the annual scientific meeting of The Obesity Society.