Lemon Belly Strain is a chewable candy flavoured with citric acid and also claimed to be more nutritious than regular gum. In fact, the gum has received raving reviews from users of both adults and children, with one doctor comparing it to a “healthy small piece of candy”. Does this sweet tooth-stretcher really taste good? Does it resemble the childhood treat we had as kids when we chewed on chunks of sugar cube or biscuit between our teeth? Or is it just a marketing gimmick?
It certainly smells and tastes like what it says on the tin – lemons. However, it does not have any of the nutritious benefits of real lemon, but instead it has artificial flavours added to it. As a result, some consumers may find that their teeth become sensitive to acidic foods, for example, the chewable candy can start to leave stains on their teeth if they are not kept in check.
This is hardly surprising because chewing gum normally releases some saliva, which helps to neutralise odours and tastes. It is recommended that children should not chew on gum if they are suffering from staining of the teeth. Children should be encouraged to brush well and should be checked for sugar levels so that any artificial sweeteners present are not harmful.
The gum can also cause irritation in some people’s mouths. For example, some people become sensitive to the taste of lemon and will develop a condition known as tongue abrasions. Symptoms include soreness, redness, burning sensation and some people even get pain as their tongues become coated in the sweet gum.
There is no doubt that this sweet tasting gum will appeal to young and old alike. It is highly unlikely that anyone will feel sorry for trying it. It has been used by TV chefs to get quick bursts of energy when working in the kitchen. Pop star Beyonce Knowles uses it to keep her spirits up when performing. She has even been seen snacking on the chewable stuff between takes. Her fans have taken to it like fish to water.
Lemon is known to have antioxidant properties and it has been proven to help in the treatment of oral cancers. This is why the makers of lemon gum are not worried that their chewable product could be a factor in the formation of oral cancer. Their product contains no other harmful chemicals and no calories either. It is considered to be a healthy alternative to the traditional method of taking in lots of fruit and vegetables every day.
Lemon is known to have diuretic properties, which make it good for dehydrating the body. This means that it can act as a natural body scrub when it comes to removing built up toxins. When taken regularly, it can help to reduce cellulite. Although there is no scientific evidence that this works, this is one of the reasons why this product has been adopted as a weight loss aid by celebrities.
Although there is no scientific proof to back up these claims, there are thousands of people who have used lemon as a natural detoxifier and for various illnesses. It should be noted that lemon gum should not be taken for long periods of time as its effects start to wane. It can be kept in the mouth for about 5 minutes before spitting out or swallowing to help in eliminating swallowed food particles. The gum should not be chewed for more than five minutes to avoid irritating the throat. Those with gag reflexes would do well to avoid using this product.