Your dentist may frown on it, but chewing gum can benefit your brain. If you’ve ever chomped on gum before an anxiety-producing situation, like taking a test, then you already know it can help relieve stress. But chewing gum can also improve cognitive function. Chewing it increases blood flow to your brain, enhancing your ability to think. It can also make you more alert, particularly if you’re sleepy. One study showed that chewing gum quickened reaction times and made it easier for subjects to form new memories. And, fortunately, chewing gum does not have the downside of multitasking—it doesn’t distract you from whatever task is at hand. However, the benefits of gum chewing require you to keep chewing. Once you stop, the benefits disappear. Keep your dentist happy and pick a gum that uses xylitol rather than sugar as the sweetener.