"I'm tired of Candy. I'm tired of Gum. I want burgers. Spaghetti..." That's what I remember Chow Daddy singing in his Public Service Announcements when I was a kid. Granted, Chow Daddy looked like he could have very well been an escaped convict wearing a partial lion's costume and singing about the importance of eating healthy, but hey, why dwell on the details? Anyway, years later, I can't help but laugh at the fact that (some) candy and gum is actually considered GOOD for you.

In fact, a study in Sweden just measured Xylitol, a sugar substitute used in many sugarless sweets, may help battle against tooth decay. Following 128 children aged 7 through 12, the researchers found that subjects who were were asked to chew Xylitol enhanced gum three times per day for four weeks showed a lessened proportion of caries (decay)-producing bacteria than before they started the study.

For many people, especially people living with diabetes, oral health care is of great importance. Brushing, flossing and regular check-ups can help prevent against tooth decay and gingivitis, but neither, alone or combined, are a panacea. That's not to say that chewing gum is a surefire way to win that battle, however. But, based on this new study, it appears to be yet another way to help stay in the fight.

Meanwhile, Chow Daddy's probably back in prison.