The British Journal of Surgery found that patients chewing gum after surgeries like colorectal surgery (Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2013) experienced faster bowel function return and shorter hospital stays [1].

Additionally, a study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons [2] showed that gum-chewing patients after gynecologic surgery reported less pain and required fewer pain-relieving medications.

The research detailed [1] [2] showed a decrease gastrointestinal inflammation, reduced post-surgery complications, and enhanced recovery times.

Chewing gum stimulates saliva and gastric juice production, aiding digestion and improving gut motility, thus benefiting postoperative recovery which could prevent complications such as ileus.

Chewing xylitol gum will not break a fast, as it contains minimal calories and does not stimulate an insulin response [3] [4] [5].

1. Minimal calories: Xylitol gum contains minimal calories, typically around 2-5 calories per piece. This small caloric intake is unlikely to disrupt a fast for most people.
2. Low insulin response: Xylitol has a low glycemic index (GI) of 7, whereas regular sugar's is 60–70 which means it does not significantly impact blood sugar levels or stimulate an insulin response.

Therefore, consuming xylitol gum during a fasted state is unlikely to break the fast, as it does not trigger a significant insulin response.

Systemic inflammation is a natural response of the body's immune system to foreign invaders, such as viruses or bacteria. However, when the immune system is constantly activated due to factors such as poor diet, stress, or lack of exercise, this can lead to chronic systemic inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. By reducing chronic inflammation in the body, individuals can potentially improve their overall health and reduce their risk of developing these health conditions.

Reducing plaque and gum inflamation could have benefits for the rest of the body.

There is a strong association between oral health and systemic disease, with gum inflammation and plaque being risk factors. One study focused on xylitol's impact on porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria that can cause gum disease and enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic inflammation [6]. In one study, researchers observed that xylitol may be a promising candidate as both an anticaries and an antiperiodontitis agent [7].

Chewing gum may help boost the immune system by stimulating the production of saliva, which contains several compounds that have immune-boosting properties. Saliva contains immunoglobulin A (IgA), which is an antibody that plays a key role in the body's immune defence system. IgA helps to prevent bacteria and viruses from attaching to the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, which can help to prevent infections [8]

Maintaining a healthy oral environment can support the immune system by preventing oral infections and inflammation, which, in turn, can help keep the immune system functioning effectively [9] [10].

Otitis media is a medical term that refers to inflammation or infection of the middle ear. Otitis media is a common condition, especially in children, and can cause symptoms such as ear pain, fever, fluid discharge from the ear, and hearing problems.

Some studies have shown that xylitol gum can prevent development of otitis media.

Xylitol has been shown to reduce the chances of developing ear infections, particularly in children, by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause these infections. The main bacteria responsible for ear infections are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, both of which can be affected by xylitol.

One study [11] found that regular consumption of xylitol-sweetened chewing gum reduced the occurrence of acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in children by 40%:

The proposed mechanism is that xylitol interferes with the bacteria's ability to adhere to the surfaces of the respiratory tract, including the eustachian tubes that connect the middle ear to the throat. By inhibiting bacterial adhesion, xylitol can help prevent infections from taking hold in the first place.

However, it is important to note that while xylitol has shown promise in reducing the risk of ear infections, it should not be considered a substitute for proper medical treatment when an infection occurs.

The most common fungal infection among human population is candidiasis and Xylitol has shown benefits for treating oral Candida infections [12].

In studies Xylitol has shown its potential anti-fungal properties, helping to fight off the yeast Candida albicans which can cause candida infections [12]. Xylitol has been found to reduce the yeast’s ability to stick to surfaces, thereby helping prevent infection [13].

However, this study was conducted in a laboratory setting, and more research is needed to determine the efficacy of xylitol gum in preventing oral yeast infections in real-world situations.