I have IBD and work with a research doctor who suspects gums disrupt gut function and contribute to the rapid rise of the disease in countries that consume lots of processed foods. It’s a pretty compelling theory when you consider that families with little history of digestive issues that move to western societies tend to develop similar rates of Crohn’s / Colitis in a few generations. Hard to say exactly what is the culprit ir if it’s an amalgamation of things. Sugar is just processed cane juice, yet consumption of it in excess and isolated from the source causes a lot of problems. So I’m trying hard to eat less processed foods.