Many of us grew up with cautionary tales about the perils of swallowing chewing gum.
The story went that if you swallowed gum, it would linger in your stomach for seven years, unable to be digested by your body.
Despite the urge to dispose of it quickly when no bin or paper is available, swallowing gum supposedly meant it would sit in your stomach indefinitely, potentially causing harm.
This tale presents a vivid and unsettling image, akin to the stubborn gum found under desks.
The thought of something ingested years ago still lingering within us is unpleasant, akin to a parasitic invader.
But what is the reality behind these tales of gum-swallowing horror?
Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony sheds some light, explaining that it’s unlikely for anything to remain in your body for such an extended period.
While the gum base is indigestible, it doesn’t linger in your system.
“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 really take to pass through?
“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.”
Although 40 hours might seem lengthy, it’s a standard duration considering your digestive cycle.
Essentially, if you swallow gum, it will eventually pass through your system, resulting in a slightly gummier stool. A delightful thought.
Chewing gum isn’t the only substance we ingest that our bodies can’t fully digest, despite the stomach’s harsh environment.
Things like corn kernels, seeds, and other resilient plant matter often pass through our digestive systems without being thoroughly broken down.
However, while gum doesn’t remain in your gut for seven years, it’s not advisable to make a habit of swallowing it.
“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, an intestinal blockage could even lead to a rupture.
So, while an accidental gum swallow isn’t cause for panic, it’s wise not to make a routine of it.
And remember, don’t dispose of gum by sticking it under tables or spitting it into urinals—that’s unsanitary and someone else will have to clean it up.