2006-12-04 09:57:53 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
I'm not looking for opinion - I'm wondering if any of you have talked to medical professionals or read in a magazine, saw "myth busters" tv show, etc.
2006-12-04 10:25:23 · update #1
No, it comes out the other end with everything else, just as it went in -- it can't be digested.
2006-12-04 10:06:40 · answer #1 · answered by caralynn5685 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What happens if you swallow gum? Does it cause intestinal problems?
– Dave
Almost everyone has swallowed a piece of gum at some point. But very few people ever need to see a doctor because of it.
Chewing gum is made up of the gum itself (called gum resin), preservatives, flavorings, and sweeteners. The human body is unable to digest the gum resin. But swallowed gum does not stay in the stomach or cause intestinal problems. That's because our bodies move most materials that can't be digested (like gum) through the digestive system and out of our bodies in a bowel movement.
In rare cases, swallowing a large mass of gum, or many small pieces of gum over a short period of time, can block the digestive tract. Blockages in the digestive system are most likely to happen when gum is swallowed along with other indigestible things (like sunflower seed shells).
Although people cannot digest gum resin, they can digest the things that have been added to chewing gum, such as sweeteners or even medications (think of the nicotine gum used by people trying to quit smoking). The body absorbs these just through the act of chewing. This is where chewing gum can affect a person's health: When a person chews a lot of sugary gum, the calories can add up.
2006-12-04 18:35:24 · answer #2 · answered by EmeraldRose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In theory, swallowing gum can result in an accumulation of the gum in your stomach, forming what is known as a bezoar. It's an undigestible mass which may cause problems such as obstruction and digestive problems.
2006-12-04 18:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by Amuse Bouche 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. My kids have been swallowing gum for a collective 60+ years now, and they are fine.
2006-12-04 18:04:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no,its a myth.it does no harm.also,it doesnt stay in ur body a.7 years or b. forever.it passes thru in 2-3 days,intact.saw it on a mythbusting show.
2006-12-04 18:06:04 · answer #5 · answered by Lyn K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that it is, that it takes 7 years to digest. I try not to, but I'm still alive and I've done it several times.
2006-12-04 18:06:07 · answer #6 · answered by aitlin_cay10@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its ok but sometimes very rare it sticks to your stomach lingin and causes pain very rare
2006-12-04 18:05:52 · answer #7 · answered by coxyorker20 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't make a habit of it!
2006-12-04 18:17:22 · answer #8 · answered by lou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's ok.
Mark
2006-12-04 18:04:48 · answer #9 · answered by dr_mark_a_horn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋