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Can pizza be good for oral health?

Feb. 4, 2016
When people talk about pizza, the term junk food often surfaces. But is pizza really a junk food? Which research study commands more respect from an oral health perspective?

By Ahmed Hassan, BDSc

According to a report, pizza consumption among Americans is higher than in any other nation. Excess calories and increased sodium intake could lead toward obesity, a primary factor behind other diseases such as heart attacks.1

Italian researchers, however, discovered something amazingly different. Their study of pizza consumption led to speculation that the slices of pizza may reduce the risk of second heart attack, even among people who are obese. The researchers projected that consumption of 14 ounces of pizza each week may reduce the chance of heart attack up to 50%.2

When people talk about pizza, the term junk food often surfaces. But is pizza really a junk food? Hmm, we can get a little bit confused by two studies from two different continents. Which one commands more respect from an oral health perspective? Let us take look at 100 grams of pizza pie for evidence, to help us make a determination on whether pizza is good for us.

The chart shows that only 15 grams of fats is used in pizza, which is only 5% of daily intake. Is it really harmful fat? What is the source of fats in pizza? Cheese and oregano oil. Both can be beneficial for health reasons.

Pizza is a good way to increase your calcium intake for the day. Cheese is one of the better sources of calcium. Calcium is a vital mineral that our body requires on a daily basis. However, our body cannot produce this nutrient on its own. So, it relies on the food that we eat.

Calcium is important for cell division and muscle contractions, including our heartbeat. The cells of our body that carry nerve impulses also need this essential mineral. Salivary production and enzyme activity for the production and activity of hormones involved in digestion, energy, and fat metabolism add another dimension to the benefits of this useful mineral.

To summarize, the cheese on pizza carries the calcium necessary in the transport of nutrients and other substances across cell membranes. Calcium interacts with sodium, potassium, and magnesium to regulate blood pressure and water balance. Quite a list from the oft-maligned staple of the young adult diet.

Clinical evidence also suggests carvacrol–the active ingredient from oregano oil—may suppress redness and swelling, as well as Candida albicans infections. The substance in oregano oil that gives the pizza herb its distinctive warm and aromatic odor and flavor has shown effectiveness against norovirus, causing the breakdown of the virus’ tough outer coat.3,4

Eating pizza will also help you obtain the protein you need for building muscle and other tissues in your body. While cheese is a source of protein, choosing a pizza with meat will boost your pizza's protein content. Protein maintains tooth structure, mucosal/connective tissue development, and immune function.

Carbohydrates provide fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism and preventing protein from being used as energy. The crust often is chewy or crispy, adding to the daily chewing requirement. Chewing increases facial muscle tone and decreases sugar clearance by stimulating salivary flow.

Vitamin A helps skin cells grow and maintain mucosal/connective tissues and immune function.

Vitamin B deficiencies are one of the most common deficiencies that can affect mouth and teeth. A common oral effect of vitamin B deficiency is a burning sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue. Patients with this deficiency can also have trouble swallowing. The tongue may feel swollen. The tissue of the inner cheeks can be pale and may break apart easily and slough off. Fortunately, pizza has vitamin B. In addition, B12 deficiency has recently been indicated as a contributor to periodontal bone loss.

Tomatoes are rich with vitamin C, and they are cooked and pureed to prepare the sauce on many types of pizza. Vitamin C helps ward off infections, and plenty of vitamin C in a diet is one way to improve immune health. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps ward off heart disease and other ailments. A deficiency of vitamin C may lead to bleeding gums. Tomato sauce also contains calcium and lycopene. Lycopene has been studied and used as a preventive carotene for oral cancer.

Fiber is an important part of your daily diet because it promotes digestive health and may also reduce your risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease and cancer. Increasing the amount of vegetables on your pizza helps you get more fiber from the meal. Tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, and onions are nutritious choices that contain some fiber. Choosing a whole-wheat crust is another way to boost the fiber content of your pie.

The evidence shows that pizza has healthy ingredients. There is no harm in consuming pizza but use common sense in waiting for it to cool in order to avoid burning the your palate. Surprisingly, researchers from the University of Mexico developed a dissolvable tongue strip to soothe the burn for those who cannot wait to bite into hot, sizzling pizza.

Cheers! It’s time to order pizza! But remember, excess and deficiency of everything is harmful.

Author’s acknowledgement: Thanks to Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, for mentoring.

Ahmed Hassan, BDSc (DH), is the house-officer (internee) at Dow University of Health and Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan. He can be contacted at [email protected].

References

  1. Dietz, WH “Health consequences of obesity in youth: childhood predictors of adult disease”.
    J. Pediatrics.1998:101(suppl):518-524
  2. Thompson, J. “Is pizza health food?” Retrieved 23rd December, 2015. From Health Sciences Institute Database.
  3. “Carvacrol in pizzas effectively kills norovirus, a common cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in hospitals and schools.” Retrieved 23rd December, 2015.from http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/carvacrol-in-pizzas-may-ward-off-notorious-vomiting-bug-study/.
  4. Dr. Edward Group “What is Carvacrol? 8 Facts to Know” Retrieved 1st January, 2016from http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-is-carvacrol-8-facts-to-know/.
  5. Smith, Meredith. “Science tackles pizza mouth burn” Retrieved23rd December, 2015 from http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2012/10/science-tackles-pizza-mouth-burn.html.
  6. Zong, G. “Serum vitamin B12 is Inversely Associated with Periodontal Progression and Risk of Tooth Loss: A prospective Cohort Study”. J Clin Periodontol. 2015 Nov 27. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12483.