What Really Happens When You Swallow Chewing Gum, According To Doctors

You’ve had enough of the gum, but there’s no trash bin around. What do you do?

Common Gum Swallowing Myths

Many people just swallow it, even though we’ve all heard those stories saying that gum stays in your stomach undigested for up to seven years, or that it can even get wrapped around your heart.

What Really Happens When You Swallow Gum?

There have been a lot of theories when it comes to swallowing chewing gum.Getty Stock Photo

Over time, these theories have been proven wrong. Experts have come forward with less scary consequences when it comes to swallowing gum.

While it’s true that swallowing one piece of gum now and then won’t cause any harm, it’s not a habit you should get into. Regularly swallowing gum isn’t a good idea.

What Is Gum Made Of

The Cleveland Clinic explains that chewing gum is made from something called gum base.

Since it’s not made from real food, gum base has no nutritional value, and on top of that, it can’t be digested by the body.

In simple terms, your body isn’t able to break down chewing gum like it does with regular food.

What Is Gum Made Of?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that chewing gum is made from something called gum base.

Since it’s not made from real food, gum base has no nutritional value, and on top of that, it can’t be digested by the body.

In simple terms, your body isn’t able to break down chewing gum like it does with regular food.

No, chewing gum is not going to stay stuck in your stomach for seven years.Getty Stock Photo

Expert Opinion: It Passes Through Your System

According to the Cleveland Clinic, dietician Beth Czerwony says: “Gum base isn’t able to be digested, so it just stays in your guts all the way through and doesn’t break down.”

She added some reassurance for people who might be worried after swallowing a piece of gum recently.

“You’d have to be experiencing some other medical condition for anything you swallowed to stay in your body for seven years. If you’ve swallowed a piece of gum, it’ll come out about 40 hours later in your stool. Because it can’t be digested, it comes right out whole,” she explained.

Parent Concerns: Is It Dangerous for Children?

On the Mayo Clinic’s website, a parent reached out for advice after their six-year-old daughter swallowed a piece of gum.

“My 6-year-old daughter accidentally swallowed a wad of chewing gum. Should I be concerned?” the parent asked.

“On very rare occasions, large amounts of swallowed gum combined with constipation have blocked intestines in children. It’s for this reason that frequent swallowing of chewing gum should be discouraged, especially in children.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you’ve swallowed a lot of gum and start to feel symptoms like stomach pain, constipation, or intense cramping, it’s best to see a doctor.

Other signs to look out for include vomiting and feeling overly full or bloated, as pointed out by the Cleveland Clinic.