Maybe your mom doesn’t like for you to chew gum as much as you like to, because both the sugar it has and chewing too many pieces can be bad for your health.
Chewing gum was once made from Chicle gum. The word «chicle» comes from the word tzictli in the Nahuatl language, which is the indigenous language that is spoken the most in Mexico. Others say it may come from the Mayan word tsicte, which means «blood or liquid from a tree.»
Natives extracted sap from a tropical tree called Manilkara zapota, and then they let it dry until they could chew it to clean their teeth.
But the chewing gum you find today in any supermarket was invented by Thomas Adams in the year 1871. Even though he wanted to invent a substitute for rubber with the sap used by natives, he ended up inventing the gum we know today. Just as the natives used it, today it is still used to clean teeth and have good breath. However, nowadays, most gum has too much sugar or sweeteners, which are not very healthy. That’s why I recommend you always read the list of ingredients and avoid it if you can.
As you can see, the chewing gum that was at first something good to keep the mouth clean can also cause health problems, like cavities in our teeth.
The same thing happens with our lives. We can help or hurt those around us with our actions and words.
The apostle Paul advised his friend Titus to set a good example.
In your Prayer Journal, ask Jesus to help you set a good example and be a good influence to those around you.