Chewing Gum Stays in Your Stomach for 7 Years , Myth or Fact?
Chewing Gum Stays In Your Stomach For 7 Years , Myth or Fact? If you don’t know the answer, watch this video to find out.
Expert: Constantine Hatzis, Ph.D. Australian Defense Force Medical Officer
Transcript
Your mom told you a million times not to do it. You did it anyway. Did it really sit in your stomach for seven years? Could it have wrapped around your intestines and strangled them? What really happens if you swallow your gum?
We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale warning of such disaster, but to our knowledge there’s been no serious health issues related to swallowing gum. Although choking on gum is another matter entirely.
Though your stomach can’t break down a piece of gum the same way it breaks down food, your digestive system can move it along through normal intestinal activity; in other words, it comes out the “other” end.
Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed, and not swallowed, it isn’t harmful if ingested. And it’s OK to swallow the occasional watermelon seed, too, since doctors are pretty sure watermelon seeds do not grow into full-fledged watermelons in our bellies.
Last Modified: 2014-01-17
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
