The effect of chewing gum on physiological and self-rated measures of alertness and daytime sleepiness

► We examine the effect of chewing gum on a physiological measure of daytime sleepiness. ► Daytime sleepiness is induced through 11-minutes in a darkened laboratory. ► Daytime sleepiness is measured via pupillary unrest and self-rated mood measures. ► Participants chewed gum, sham chewed, and did not chew throughout the 11-minute session. ► Chewing gum reduced the increase in physiological measures of daytime sleepiness.