25 Popular Facts That Are Actually False

Seven Years for Gum to Digest

Chewing Gum Digestion
The idea that swallowed chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years is a myth that has been told to children for generations, likely as a way to discourage them from swallowing gum. While it’s true that gum is not digestible in the same way as other foods, the human digestive system is more than capable of handling it. Chewing gum is made of a synthetic base that resists digestion by stomach acids and enzymes. However, just like other indigestible materials, gum moves through the digestive tract in a normal process called peristalsis. Within a few days, it is expelled from the body in the same way as other waste. Swallowing gum occasionally is harmless for most people, but swallowing large amounts or doing so frequently can potentially cause blockages, particularly in children. This rare occurrence is known as a bezoar, a mass of undigested material in the stomach or intestines. While the myth of gum lingering in the stomach for seven years is untrue, it’s still a good idea to dispose of gum properly by throwing it in the trash.

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