Top 10 Reasons Why Gum Should Be Allowed in School | By Anaya

10 Reasons Why Gum Should Be Allowed in School: Hi everyone! I’m Anaya, and I have a question for you. Have you ever been sitting in math class, trying to focus on some super complex problem, and wished you could chew some gum? Me too!

Last week, I was taking a test, and I kept looking at my empty pencil case. I wanted my favourite mint gum. It would have helped me feel better. But then I remember.

I consider myself a good student, but school can be challenging at times. My friends feel the same way. We’re always looking for little things that might help us focus or feel less nervous during tests. That’s when I started wondering, why can’t we have gum in school? Gum isn’t allowed at our school. Again.

I know what you’re thinking:” Anaya, teachers always say gum is messy and distracting.” I get it. But there’s more to the story. What if I told you that chewing gum might help us learn better? What if it could make school less stressful?

So, I did some research (yes, I chose to do research outside of homework, which is crazy, right?). And guess what? I found some compelling reasons why schools should allow us to chew gum. You’ll be surprised by what I learned.

Are you ready to hear my case? Because I’m about to share 10 reasons that might change your mind about gum in school. And who knows? After reading this, you’ll want to discuss it with your teachers as well.

10 Reasons Why Gum Should Be Allowed in School: Pros

By Anaya

1. Gum Helps Us Focus Better

You know that feeling when you’re trying to concentrate but your mind keeps wandering? A study published on PubMed Central has discovered something quite remarkable. They found that people who chew gum during tasks that require attention perform better than those who don’t. This makes total sense! When I’m doing homework at home and my mom lets me have gum, I notice I can sit still longer and finish my work faster.

My friend Jake told me something interesting, too. He said, “When I chew gum while studying, it’s like my brain has something to do with the restless energy so that I can focus on the actual work.” A study published in the British Journal of Psychology supports this finding, as it found that chewing gum improved both working memory and attention span. Imagine if we could use this superpower during those long history lessons or challenging math problems!

2. It Reduces Stress and Anxiety (Especially During Tests)

Let’s be real – school can be pretty stressful. Between tests, presentations, and trying to keep up with everything, sometimes I feel like my heart is racing. But here’s something amazing: research shows that chewing gum can lower our stress hormones. A study from Swinburne University found that people who chewed gum had lower levels of cortisol (that’s the stress hormone) in their saliva.

I recall discussing this with my older sister. She’s in college now, but she told me, “I wish I could have had gum during my SATs. My hands were shaking from nerves.” The repetitive motion of chewing helps calm our nervous system. Think about it – could we feel a little less anxious during that big science test or when we have to give a presentation in front of the whole class?

3. Better Oral Health Than You’d Think

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Anaya, doesn’t gum cause cavities?” This surprised me, too, but sugar-free gum can help our teeth! The American Dental Association recommends that you chew sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals to help prevent tooth decay. It increases saliva flow, which helps wash away food particles and neutralises acid.

Dr. Maria Santos, a dentist who spoke at our school’s health fair last year, mentioned that “sugar-free gum can be part of a good oral health routine, especially for students who can’t brush their teeth right after lunch.” This is highly relevant for us because we eat lunch at school and then spend hours in classes afterwards. Instead of having that gross after-lunch taste, we could be helping our teeth!

4. Improved Memory and Learning

This one blew my mind. Researchers at Northumbria University found that people who chewed gum while learning new information remembered it better later. They think it’s because chewing increases blood flow to the brain. My science teacher, Mr. Rodriguez, actually mentioned this when I asked him about it. He said, “There’s legitimate research showing cognitive benefits, but we have to balance that with classroom management concerns.”

I tested this myself. When I studied for my Spanish vocabulary quiz at home with gum, I remembered many more words than usual. My friend Emma said she noticed the same thing: “When I chew gum while reading, I remember more of what I read the next day.” If gum could help us learn better, is that worth considering?

5. Helps Students with ADHD and Attention Issues

This reason is fundamental to me because my cousin Marcus has ADHD. He told me that when he’s allowed to chew gum (like at home or in some classes), he can sit still better and pay attention longer. Research supports this as well – studies have shown that sensory input from chewing can help students with attention difficulties stay focused.

A study published in the Journal of Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders found that students with ADHD showed improved attention and reduced hyperactivity when allowed to chew gum during lessons. Marcus explained it to me like this: “It’s like my brain needs something to do with that extra energy, and chewing gum gives it just enough to keep the rest of me calm.” For students who struggle with attention, chewing gum can be a simple tool that makes sense.

6. Keeps Students Awake and Alert

We’ve all been there – it’s right after lunch, you’re in your most boring class, and you can barely keep your eyes open. Every student knows this feeling! Research shows that chewing gum can help combat drowsiness by increasing heart rate and brain activity slightly. It’s like a natural, gentle way to stay alert.

My friend Sarah always says, “I wish I could have gum during our last period English class. I’m always so tired by then, but I don’t want to miss anything important.” A Japanese study found that people who chewed gum showed increased brain wave activity associated with alertness. Instead of students zoning out or even falling asleep in class, gum could help keep everyone engaged and ready to learn.

7. Reduces Disruptive Behaviours

Here’s something interesting that might surprise teachers: gum could make classrooms quieter and less disruptive. When students have something to occupy that restless energy, they’re less likely to tap their pens, bounce their legs, or whisper to friends. The repetitive motion of chewing can be calming and help students quietly channel their energy.

I spoke with Mrs. Peterson, one of our substitute teachers, and she mentioned that in schools where she has worked that allowed gum, “Students seemed more settled and there was less fidgeting and off-task behaviour.” My friend Alex, who’s constantly tapping something or moving around, told me, “When I have gum, I don’t feel the need to do all those other annoying things that probably bug everyone.” If gum helps students self-regulate their behaviour, that sounds like a win-win for everyone.

8. Freshens Breath and Boosts Confidence

Let’s talk about something we don’t always want to admit – sometimes we worry about our breath, especially after lunch or when we have to work closely with classmates. Having fresh breath can boost our confidence in social situations and class participation. I feel more comfortable raising my hand or talking to classmates when I’m not worried about how my breath smells.

A survey of high school students in Texas found that 73% said they would participate more in class discussions if they felt more confident about their appearance and breath. My friend Zoe put it perfectly: “There’s nothing worse than wanting to answer a question but holding back because you had tuna for lunch.” Fresh breath might seem like a small thing, but for teenagers, these little confidence boosters can make a big difference in our school experience.

9. Provides a Healthy Alternative to Other Habits

Some students have nervous habits, such as biting their nails, chewing on pencils, or even picking at their skin, when they’re stressed or concentrating. Gum could provide a healthier outlet for these behaviours. Instead of destroying our pencils or developing habits that might not be beneficial to us, we could redirect that need to chew into something harmless.

I used to bite my nails constantly, especially during tests. My mom pointed out that when I have gum at home, I bite my nails less often. A counsellor at our school, Ms. Garcia, mentioned that “redirecting nervous energy into appropriate outlets is a healthy coping strategy we want to encourage in students.” If gum can help students break less healthy habits, that is a positive change.

10. Teaches Responsibility and Respect

Here’s my final point, and it’s essential. Allowing gum in school is a great way to teach students about responsibility and respecting shared spaces. We could have clear rules about proper disposal, not blowing bubbles during lessons, and chewing quietly. Students who follow the rules get to keep the privilege.

This would be similar to how we’re trusted with other things at school, such as using our phones responsibly during designated times or taking care of classroom materials. My friend David said, “If teachers gave us the chance to prove we can handle gum responsibly, I think most of us would step up.” We could even have student monitors or a system where classes that maintain clean spaces get to keep the gum privilege. It’s a chance for us to demonstrate that we can be mature and responsible while enjoying a small degree of freedom that could enhance our learning.

So, What’s Next?

I conducted all this research, and I feel perfect about it. Gum can help us focus better. It makes us less stressed. That’s pretty cool.

My friend Carlos told me, “When I chew gum at home, I can do my homework so much better. I wish I could have that same feeling at school.” Many of us share the same sentiment.

Even some teachers think gum might be good for us. My math teacher, Mr. Williams, said, “If gum helps students stay calm and focused, maybe we should think about it.” That made me feel hopeful.

We could start small. Maybe try it in a few classes. We could show our teachers that we can be responsible.

I’m going to discuss this with my teachers. You could do the same thing at your school.

Who knows? Perhaps next year we’ll all learn better with a bit of help from our favourite gum. That would be amazing!

• Anaya

So now it’s your turn, tell me your opinions in the comment section and also check out my website aoiiblog.com to read more informative content like this.