Who knew gum had such an interesting story to tell?

Um, trick question. We did. And you did. Because of COURSE gum is fascinating.

Read on, and revel in the wonder that is magical, glorious chewing gum. Yum.

Fun Facts about Glee Gum

Fun Fact #1

During WWII, U.S. military personnel spread the popularity of chewing gum by trading it and giving it as gifts to people in Europe, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere around the world.

Fun Fact #2

Cinnamon, spearmint, and peppermint are among the most popular flavors of chewing gum today.

Fun Fact #3

Chewing gum while cutting onions can stop your eyes from tearing up.

Fun Fact #4


Fun Fact #5


Fun Fact #6

Blibber-Blubber, a failed attempt at bubble gum, was invented in 1906 but deemed too sticky to sell.

Fun Fact #7

The whole “seven years” thing is a myth. A piece of swallowed gum won’t clog up your intestines, but it will be with you for a few days. Gum base can’t be digested, so it will pass through your system in one piece. That said, we still don’t recommend that you swallow it!

Fun Fact #8


Fun Fact #9

Studies suggest that chewing gum can help you concentrate. Studies also have shown that chewing gum may improve long-term and working memory, reduce muscle tension, and increase alertness.

Fun Fact #10


Fun Fact #11

Chewing gum burns around 11 calories per hour.

Fun Fact #12

In 2006, the worldwide chewing gum industry was estimated to be worth $19 billion in sales, or 1.3 million metric tons of gum.

Fun Fact #13

Chewing gum on an airplane will keep your ears from popping. Chewing gum makes your salivary glands produce 250% more saliva than normally, so you swallow more. This helps to balance the pressure in your head.

Fun Fact #14


Fun Fact #15

Chewing gum after meals may help to prevent heartburn.

Fun Fact #16

The largest piece of bubble gum ever was the size and weight of 10,000 regular pieces, and was presented to baseball player Willie Mays by the Topps Chewing Gum Company in June of 1974.

Fun Fact #17


Fun Fact #18


Fun Fact #19

In the pre-Glee Gum days, the ancient Mayans chewed plain chicle. That’s the same sap from the sapodilla tree to now give Glee Gum such great chew.

Fun Fact #20

Humans are the only animals on Earth that chew gum. If you give a monkey a piece, he will chew it for a couple of minutes, then take it out and stick it in his hair.


Hendrickson, Robert. The Great American Chewing Gum Book. Radnor, PA: Chilton Book Company, 1976. Print.

Wardlaw, Lee. Bubblemania: A Chewy History of Bubble Gum. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1997. Print.

Young, Robert. The Chewing Gum Book. Minneapolis, MN: Dillon Press, 1989. Print.