When it comes to disposing of chewing gum, there are two types of people: those who carefully wrap it in a wrapper and throw it in the trash, and those who simply swallow it. But is swallowing gum really safe? We’ve all heard the childhood myth that swallowed gum stays in your stomach for seven years, which was enough to scare many of us away from ever swallowing it again. However, the truth is that swallowing chewing gum is not as harmful as it is often believed to be, although there are rare cases where it can have negative effects on our health.
What Is in Chewing Gum?
When it comes to determining whether swallowing chewing gum is harmful, it is important to have an understanding of the ingredients found in this popular confectionery. Every variety of gum consists of four fundamental components: gum base, flavor, color, and sweeteners. While flavoring, coloring, and sweeteners are commonly found in numerous processed and prepared foods, gum base is a distinctive ingredient specific to chewing gum. It is an insoluble base that lacks any nutritional value, comprising of natural or synthetic gum, softeners, and texturizers. The International Chewing Gum Association affirms that each ingredient in gum, including gum base, has undergone extensive research to demonstrate its safety.
What Really Occurs When You Ingest Chewing Gum?
Even though the gum base itself is not dangerous, it is important to note that swallowing it is not intended. Unlike other foods you consume, gum does not provide any nutritional value and your body is unable to break it down. Instead, your digestive system relies on peristalsis, a process that gradually propels the gum you swallowed through your digestive tract before eventually excreting it from your body.