Chewing Gum Relieves Post-Operative Nausea – Study

A clinical study conducted by an Australian researcher found that chewing gum significantly reduced nausea and vomiting among patients recovering from surgery. The group of 94 women post-surgery was evenly divided into two groups. Fifteen of the 47 women in the first group experienced nausea and were given spearmint chewing gum. Twelve chewed the gum while the rest were either too sleepy or did not want the gum. Nine of the 12 said their nausea went away within 10 minutes. Thirteen patients with nausea in the second group were given the drug ondansetron intravenously. Only five said the drug eased the nausea. The researcher said it was most likely the chewing action rather than the peppermint flavor of the chewing gum that relieved the nausea. [ Image credit: © Wrigley.com ]