Could Chewing Wood Be the Secret to Improved Brain Health?

Chewing Wood Could Give Your Brain an Unexpected Boost: New Research Reveals Surprising Benefits

We’ve all seen dogs enthusiastically chewing on sticks, but could there be more to their habit than we think? While humans may not feel the same urge to gnaw on a piece of wood, a recent study has uncovered a surprising benefit to this action. According to groundbreaking research, chewing on hard, durable materials like wood can potentially improve brain function, specifically by boosting memory. And while chewing gum has long been associated with a slight cognitive boost, this new discovery could take the benefits of mastication to an entirely new level.

The Science Behind Chewing and Cognitive Function

The idea that chewing can impact brain activity isn't entirely new. Studies have already shown that chewing gum can significantly stimulate brain activity. This is likely due to increased blood flow to the brain, which in turn enhances cognitive function. However, the new study published in 2025 by a team of researchers from Daegu University in South Korea takes things further by investigating how chewing hard substances like wood can increase the levels of a critical antioxidant in the brain—glutathione.

Glutathione is one of the body’s most potent antioxidants, and it plays a crucial role in protecting the brain from oxidative stress, a process that can contribute to cognitive decline. Oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate in the brain. These molecules can cause cumulative damage to neurons, leading to conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The body’s natural defense against oxidative stress is glutathione, which helps neutralize these harmful molecules and protect brain cells from damage.

The Research: Chewing Wood vs. Gum

The study focused on how mastication (the process of chewing) can influence glutathione levels in the brain, specifically in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a region of the brain that plays a vital role in cognitive control, decision-making, and memory. The researchers recruited 52 healthy university students and divided them into two groups. One group was given paraffin wax gum to chew, while the other group was asked to chew wooden tongue depressors, a commonly used medical tool.

Both groups chewed their respective substances for five minutes, during which the researchers used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the levels of glutathione in the ACC. Before and after the chewing activity, all participants were also given a cognitive test to evaluate their memory function.

Wood Chewing Shows Greater Cognitive Benefit

The results were surprising. While both the gum and wood groups showed a significant increase in glutathione levels, those who chewed on the wooden tongue depressors experienced a more significant boost. The increased glutathione levels in the wood group were strongly correlated with improved performance on the cognitive tests. In simpler terms, the more glutathione participants had in their brains after chewing wood, the better their memory function was.

This study marks the first time researchers have demonstrated a clear link between mastication, antioxidants, and cognitive performance in humans. While the research is still in its early stages, it suggests that the act of chewing—especially chewing on a hard material like wood—could be an easy and effective way to boost brain health and memory function.

The Implications for Memory Enhancement

Chewing on wood may sound unconventional, but the findings from this study have significant implications for cognitive health. The link between glutathione and improved brain function could offer a natural, non-invasive way to combat cognitive decline. Since glutathione is crucial for protecting neurons from oxidative damage, it stands to reason that activities that boost its levels—like chewing hard materials—could help improve or preserve cognitive function over time.

Moreover, this discovery could be especially beneficial in the context of age-related cognitive decline. Studies show that as people age, glutathione levels in the brain naturally decline, which contributes to the cognitive impairments commonly seen in older adults. Encouraging behaviors that help maintain or boost glutathione levels could be a preventive strategy against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

What’s Next? More Research Needed

While the findings of this study are promising, the authors are cautious about jumping to conclusions. The current study only involved a small group of participants (52 university students), and the duration of the chewing activity was limited to just five minutes. Future research is needed to explore the effects of longer chewing periods, a broader range of materials, and larger, more diverse study populations.

It’s also worth noting that the study didn’t find that chewing wood was a “cure-all” for memory issues. Instead, it suggests that mastication might be one of many activities that can help support brain health. The long-term effects of increased glutathione levels through chewing still need to be studied in greater depth.

Could Wood Chewing Become a Memory-Boosting Trend?

While it might not be practical or advisable for everyone to start chewing on wood, the study does suggest that incorporating some form of chewing—whether it's gum, wood, or another hard substance—could have cognitive benefits. If further research supports these findings, we may see the development of new memory-enhancing products or therapies that focus on increasing brain antioxidant levels.

Additionally, the discovery may pave the way for new treatments that help mitigate oxidative stress in the brain. Whether it’s through dietary interventions, supplements, or even therapeutic chewing, the potential for improving cognitive health naturally could be transformative.

Study Reference: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/systems-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2024.1489919/full