Why Do Footballers Chew Gum?

Chewing gum activates the receptors in our gums that send information to the brain. The added bonus of an increased heart rate also allows the muscles to receive more blood. This is why so many professional footballers and basketball players chew gum. They think faster, and it speeds up their actions and reflexes. Chewing gum is also reported to decrease stress and anxiety levels, which helps improve focus. The brain activity sparked by chewing gum occurs in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region right behind our forehead. Once this region is stimulated, our serotonergic neurons fire. Such neurons release serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter that relaxes the mind.