Many of us grew up hearing ominous warnings about the dangers of swallowing chewing gum.
The cautionary tale went that if we swallowed gum, it would linger in our bodies for seven years because it cannot be digested.
Regardless of the situation, whether there is no paper or bin available, swallowing gum was off-limits because it supposedly stayed in the stomach, causing unpleasant consequences.
Additionally, repeated swallowing of gum would allegedly lead to such an accumulation that it would eventually displace the stomach entirely.
This is certainly a narrative packed with vivid and unsettling images, much like gum sticking under a school desk.
No one relishes the notion of a piece of gum swallowed years ago remaining inside like a persistent parasite.
However, putting aside these exaggerated warnings, what is the actual truth behind these claims about swallowing gum?
Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony shed light on this myth, explaining that it’s quite unlikely for anything to remain in the body for such an extended period.
While the base used in chewing gum is indigestible, it does not linger within the body.
“Gum base isn’t able to be digested, so it just stays in your guts all the way through and doesn’t break down,” said Czerwony.
So, how long does it actually take to pass through the system?
“If you’ve swallowed a piece of gum, it’ll come out about 40 hours later in your stool,” Czerwony explained. “Because it can’t be digested, it comes right out whole.”
While 40 hours might sound lengthy, it’s actually consistent with the typical cycle of the digestive tract.
So, if you swallow gum, it will eventually result in a bowel movement that is slightly different in texture. Visualize that if you will.
Chewing gum isn’t the only substance we consume that resists complete digestion, despite the stomach’s intense environment.
Items such as corn kernels, seeds, and other robust plant materials can also pass through our system without being fully digested.
However, while gum doesn’t reside in the gut for seven years, regularly swallowing it is not advisable.
“If you do this every day, or multiple times a day, it can cause an intestinal blockage,” Czerwony warned.
“Anything you eat after that isn’t going to be able to get through, which causes a backup that leads to pain and pressure.”
In severe cases, such blockages can even cause the intestines to rupture.
Therefore, while there’s no need for alarm if you accidentally swallow some gum, it’s best not to make a habit of it.
And please, refrain from sticking it under furniture or spitting it into urinals—someone has to clean it up, and that’s just unpleasant.