Chewing gum does NOT help people eat less or lose weight.

In fact, a new study suggests that chewing gum might lead people to eat chips, cookies and candy instead of fruits and veggies.

That's because menthol, the chemical responsible for the minty-fresh flavor of some types of gum, makes fruits and veggies taste funny.

The chemical change is the same reason why when you brush your teeth and then drink orange juice, it tastes bad.

*** When the volunteers chewed gum, they ate fewer meals. But that didn't lead to fewer calories. Instead, people were actually getting fewer nutrients in their diet and about the same amount of calories.