In the context of Energy in Food and calorie labeling, do the calories listed for chewing gum generally “count” if you chew it but do not swallow it?

• A. Yes, but only if the gum contains fat; sugar and sugar alcohols cannot contribute energy unless the gum is swallowed.
• B. Yes; most calories count because sweeteners can dissolve in saliva and be swallowed and absorbed even if the gum base is not swallowed.
• C. No; chewing gum uses enough energy that it cancels out any calories from the gum.
• D. No; calories only count if the entire gum (including the gum base) is swallowed.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that calories in food represent the amount of energy that can be absorbed by the body after digestion and metabolism.
2. Recognize that when chewing gum, some components like sweeteners (sugars and sugar alcohols) can dissolve in saliva and be swallowed, allowing their calories to be absorbed even if the gum base is not swallowed.
3. Note that the gum base itself is generally not digested or absorbed, so its calories do not contribute unless swallowed.
4. Consider that the energy expended by chewing is minimal and does not offset the calories absorbed from the dissolved sweeteners.
5. Conclude that the calories listed on gum packaging generally count because the sweeteners provide absorbable energy, even if the gum base is not swallowed.