On average Americans chew about 300 sticks of gum per person a year. Why is chewing gum so popular? Some people say that it not only helps you relax but also helps you stay awake. Others chew gum after a meal to have fresh breath. It can help fight tooth decay as well. But few people know that there is an even better reason for chewing gum—it can improve memory! In an experiment, the scientists divided 75 people into three groups. One third chewed real gum, one third chewed imaginary gum, and the last third didn’t chew anything. Then, each group was given a lot of different memory tests. The results were very interesting. The people with real gum did better than those with imaginary gum, and the latter did better than those who didn’t have any gum at all. How does chewing gum help memory? One possible reason is that when people chew, there is more activity in an area of the brain that is important for memory. Another possible reason is that when people chew, their heart beats faster so more oxygen goes to the brain. So, do you have an exam coming up? Start chewing now!