2006-10-25 18:46:38 · 14 answers · asked by keith 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
No, gum does not digest at all.... to digest means to break down and pass... you pass the gum a few hours later...it just doesn't break down inside of you... It comes out just like it went in...... All that is different is the texture and color..... But it does pass in a matter of 8 to 24 hours
2006-10-25 18:50:04 · answer #1 · answered by wva_butterfly 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's a myth. It does not take 7 years for chewing gum to go through your system. Chewing gum does Not digest because the stomach acids do not break it down and digest it, but it still comes out of your body at a normal rate between 24-48 hours. Too many people tell too many different myths or old wives tales and we grow up believing them, that's where some really cool television shows come in handy such as MYTH BUSTERS(not sure what channel) and Dr. Know(on the Discovery Health Channel). Watch these two tv shows and learn about everyday myths that we have grown up believing. Learn the truth!
2006-10-25 18:52:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not digest, it just passes through. It might stick to the walls of your digestive track longer than it should, but it most likely will not do any harm.
I don't chew much gum, but I usually end up swallowing it and it has never caused any harm. I think I can safely say that I do not have all the gum I swallowed for the last 7 years still in me.
2006-10-25 18:53:56 · answer #3 · answered by Paul K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since its a rubber bi-product and it is some what resistant to acids, it could take that long. But a few months is more likely.
But we'll never know as your body would never hold it that long. Food only takes 24-60 hrs to pass through our system if you know what I mean. Stomach and intestines are designed to push down and have hairs and stuff not to allow items to go back up, so the gum would have no way of staying.
2006-10-25 18:49:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No---total "old wives' tale".
Gum dissolves within about 10 minutes of being swallowed. Stomach acid takes care of it, just like everything else we eat.
Also, any oils you ingest would help dissolve it.
Ever been chewing some gum, then eat anything oily with it (peanut, potato chip)? Notice what happens to the gum? It completely breaks down.
2006-10-25 20:51:39 · answer #5 · answered by P-nuts and Hair-dos 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't you watch Mythbusters? NO, it does not take 7 years, It does take a bit longer than reguler food, but no it is not doing any harm.
2006-10-25 18:55:14 · answer #6 · answered by Eddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I THINK GUM is pushed out of the BOWELS is 24-48 hours.
2006-10-25 18:48:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it might take 7 years to digest but it wont stay in your system for 7 years
2006-10-25 18:49:20 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe if the body ACTUALLY digests it, what i heard is that the body wraps it in sort of stuff and you poop it out entirely
2006-10-25 18:49:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
eat gum a day later it goes in the toilet ...... figure it out man Jesus
2006-10-25 18:49:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋