By: Ashley Hansen | The Women’s Journal
The wellness industry has no shortage of products promising more energy, improved focus, stress relief, and better overall health. Yet, despite the endless supply of powders, capsules, and drink mixes on the market, many consumers are still searching for something simpler.
That realization led entrepreneurs Kelly Barnes and Dr. Keri Marshall to create Chomp Gums, a women-owned wellness company turning an everyday habit into a functional wellness product.
By combining carefully selected nutrients with the convenience of a great-tasting chewing gum, the founders are introducing a new approach to wellness that feels less like a chore and more like a natural part of everyday life.
The Women Behind Chomp Gums
What makes their story unique is not only the product itself, but the partnership behind it. Barnes brings years of entrepreneurial experience and a passion for healthy living. Dr. Keri contributes with more than 25 years of experience in integrative medicine, clinical research, and the natural products industry, and has worked for a range of dietary supplement and ingredient companies during that time. Together, they have created a brand designed to make wellness more accessible, enjoyable, and practical for modern consumers.
The idea began with something both founders already loved.
“We’ve both loved gum since we were kids,” says Barnes. “It’s already part of so many people’s daily routines. It helps with focus, reducing stress, and keeps me from mindless snacking throughout the day. When Dr.Keri had the idea to add meaningful amounts of nutrients to chewing gum, it just made perfect sense.”
How Functional Chewing Gum Works
While functional foods and supplements continue to grow in popularity, many consumers experience what industry experts call “pill fatigue.” With a significant percentage of Americans taking dietary supplements daily and nutrient gaps on the rise, finding new and convenient delivery methods has become increasingly important to meet everyone’s needs.
Dr. Keri recognized an opportunity to address that challenge.
As a doctor who practices Functional Medicine and has spent decades helping patients optimize their health, she saw firsthand how difficult it can be for people to maintain complicated wellness routines. Functional chewing gum offers a simple way to fit added nutrients into a person’s daily life.
The science behind the concept is part of what makes the product stand out. While chewing, nutrients begin to be absorbed through the tissues of the mouth. The remaining nutrients are swallowed in saliva and absorbed further down in the digestive system. This dual absorption approach is designed to deliver nutrients through both the mouth and the digestive tract.
For Barnes and Dr. Keri Marshall, however, creating a different delivery system was only part of the equation. The quality of the ingredients and taste mattered just as much.
Clean living, ingredient transparency, and thoughtful formulation became foundational principles for the brand from day one. Every Chomp Gum product is certified gluten-free, caffeine-free, sugar-free, and vegan. They also avoid artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose, and instead focus on ingredients that align with their commitment to better health.
Dr. Keri Marshall’s extensive background has played a critical role in ensuring every formula meets the standards she has developed throughout her career, working for companies where quality and integrity were always top of the line.
“I have worked in the natural products industry for over 27 years and have treated patients for almost as long, so I have really come to understand what people’s basic everyday health needs are and, more importantly, where we are lacking solutions. I have always liked to play in that white space with innovative new product solutions,” says Dr. Keri Marshall.
A Wellness Product Line for Everyday Life
That philosophy is reflected in Chomp’s growing lineup of products, each designed to address a different everyday wellness goal.
The company currently offers BURST for energy support, CALM for relaxation and stress relief, LYTE for hydration support and electrolyte replenishment, and GLOW for antioxidant support. Rather than chasing trends, the founders focused on categories that impact people every day.
Among the collection, CALM was built around one of today’s most common wellness needs, managing everyday stress. As stress levels continue to rise across all age groups, consumers are increasingly looking for convenient ways to support a sense of calm and relaxation throughout the day. Chomp’s CALM formula was created as a simple option that can be used anytime without disrupting a person’s routine. Each piece provides 100mg of L-Theanine, an ingredient long associated with focus and a calm state of mind.
Building a Trusted Wellness Brand
While developing innovative products has been rewarding, building a modern consumer brand has also presented challenges neither founder anticipated.
The digital marketing landscape continues to evolve rapidly, forcing emerging brands to navigate a complex world of social media platforms, influencers, affiliates, online advertising, and e-commerce marketplaces. For founders focused on product development and customer experience, understanding where to invest resources and how to generate meaningful returns can be difficult.
At the same time, maintaining scientific accuracy while working with creators and influencers remains a top priority for the company. Consumer education continues to be a central part of the brand’s mission, ensuring customers understand both the ingredients and intended benefits behind every product.
Looking ahead, Barnes and Dr. Keri Marshall have ambitious plans for the future.
Additional formulas and flavors are already in development as the company continues to expand its wellness offerings. Their long-term vision extends beyond building a successful business. They hope to establish Chomp Gums as a trusted household name that consumers can rely on for clean, convenient wellness support.
Ultimately, their goal is simple: to create great-tasting, clean products that fit naturally into people’s lives while helping them feel their best.
As wellness consumers continue seeking alternative delivery systems to traditional supplements, Kelly Barnes and Dr. Keri Marshall are proving that innovation does not always require reinventing the wheel. Sometimes, it simply means reimagining something people already use every day.
And for Chomp Gums, that everyday habit just happens to be chewing gum.
