Chewing gum linked to stomach problems

By Sean Dowling, Buzz60

If you get a lot of stomach aches, the culprit is likely right in your purse or front pocket.

A food additive found in chewing gum may mess up your digestive cell structure and function, which translates to stomach problems.

Specifically, the additive messes with the ability of small intestine cells to both absorb the nutrients you need and block bacteria you don't.

RELATED: Gum wall you have to see to believe

It's also tied to a slower metabolism, according to a new study by researchers out of Binghamton University in New York.

Keep in mind, that's after chronic exposure to nanoparticles of titanium dioxide.

However, it's not just gum. Apparently titanium dioxide is in a lot of the food we eat every day such as candy, chocolate, mayonnaise, bread and even toothpaste.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration say it's safe, as do the researchers from Binghamton, but the study suggests chronic exposure may lead to more inflammation.

Inflammation is linked to cancer and heart disease, according to Fox News.

Researchers didn't perform the study on humans, but instead tested on a small intestinal cell culture. Sure enough, nutrients like iron, zinc and fatty acids were harder to absorb.

Since the food additive is nearly unavoidable, one thing you can do is ditch processed foods and toss your gum.

Sorry to burst your bubble!