A Study of Chewing Gum, Snacking and Appetite

Investigators are interested in learning how appetite responds after chewing gum. In this research study subjects will be asked to eat a lunch meal provided at our Center. After eating the lunch meal, subjects will answer questions describing their feelings of hunger, thirst and desire to eat every 30 minutes for 3 hours. Blood will be drawn throughout the study period to determine how chewing gum impacts certain hormones released from your intestine after eating and therefore how they influence your appetite. Blood draws will be done every 30 minutes for 3 hours. At only one of the two study visits, subjects will chew gum during specific times. One study visit will not include chewing gum. After three hours, there will be a snack to eat as much as desired followed by one more set of questions and blood draw. All study visits will take approximately 4 ½ hours.