Wrigley, the gum behemoth, is settling a  class action suit out of court for a cool $7 million. The lawsuit pertains to misleading advertising claims for Eclipse gum made with magnolia bark extract, that has been

“scientifically proven to help kill the germs that cause bad breath”.

Or not.

According to  ConsumerAffairs.com, the claim is apparently based on a 2007 study, commissioned by Wrigley, showing that extracts from the bark of a magnolia plant kill 20 times more dental bacteria in half an hour than a placebo mint. Read more…

What you need to know:

Wrigley, which was acquired by Mars for $23 Billion in 2008, is a cash machine. The few millions paid to make the bad press go away are puny compared to the company’s revenues and marketing campaign.

As for the science – you be the judge. The company has its very own Wrigley Sceince Institute,

the first organization of its kind committed to advancing and sharing scientific research that explores the benefits of chewing gum.

We kid you not. The institute employs highly respected scientists drawn from academia, who are dearly paid, with the added perks of all the gum they can chew. Is it any wonder they can put together a study claiming almost anything?

Frankly we’re surprised proof does not yet exist that chewing gum cures cancer, improves sex life, and promotes world peace.

What to do at the supermarket:

Actually, gum is a good way to keep your mouth busy without the caloric side effect. Choose sugar free gum and spend a few hours exercising your jawbone. Just don’t expect any health miracles. At best, a few minutes of fresh breath.

Get Fooducated: RSS Subscription or Email Subscription

Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/fooducate

The LA Times reports on a new study showing that kids who chew gum perform better academically:

The study was conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and was sponsored by the Wrigley Science Institute. The study included 108 students, ages 13 to 16, who were assigned to either chew sugar-free gum during math class, while doing math homework and during math tests or to refrain from gum-chewing. After 14 weeks, the students’ took a math test and their grades were assessed.

Those who chewed gum had a 3% increase in standardized math test scores and had final math grades that were significantly better than the other students. Teachers observed that those who chewed gum seemed to require fewer breaks, sustain attention longer and remain quieter.

Read the entire article…

What you need to know:

The Wrigley Science Institute is funded by the William Wrigley Jr. Company, a top player in the chewing gum industry, recently acquired by an even bigger player, Mars Incorporated. It is in these companies’ best interest to promote sales by hopping on health trends and funding studies that shine on gum in a positive effect.

Don’t let these so called “independent” studies fool you for one second. With all due respect to the scientists working at the Wrigley Science Institute, and the researchers at Baylor College, there is an inherent flaw when science is “hired” for corporate purposes.

Let’s treat gum as what it is – a sweet, refreshing treat, no less no more. That’s what Wrigley did in commercials of the past. It should stick to that line today as well.

What to do at the supermarket:

If you are buying gum at the checkout counter, you’re paying a fortune. It’s usually cheaper to buy several packages in bulk, or even order a stock of your favorite brand online.

Get Fooducated: RSS Subscription or Email Subscription

Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/fooducate

Help us test our new food comparison tool: alpha.fooducate.com