What happens if you swallow gum. A doctor tells me

Many people have swallowed gum at least once, intentionally or accidentally, and heard that it will never leave us again… At least we are guaranteed seven happy years of chewing gum digestion. Don’t worry, this is the truest myth that probably originated because manufacturers label chewing gum as “indigestible.”

While the fact is completely untrue, it has proven to be a pretty effective way to keep kids – and some adults – from swallowing chewing gum. How and where the myth about seven-year-olds carrying innocently swallowed gum originated is also unknown.

MD, pediatrician, nutriciologist, co-founder of UniProf Academy of Doctors

Dentists recommend chewing gum no more than three times a day and no longer than 2-3 minutes, but only if there is no opportunity to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth.

Although chewing gum is not a substitute for a full-blown cleaning, it will help clean the mouth of food bits.

Modern gum is different. It consists of chewing gum itself (called the base), preservatives, flavorings and sweeteners. The body cannot digest the gum base. But it doesn’t stay in the stomach or cause intestinal problems. The body transports most of the substances it can’t digest (such as cellulose, for example) through the digestive system and eliminates them naturally.

Irina: It is important to choose gummies without sugar and with a natural composition. It is best to use chewable gummies or natural gummies.

Although people cannot digest the base of the gum, sweeteners and medications are easily absorbed in the body (like what is in nicotine gum for those who want to quit smoking). So the only thing a regular sugar gum can give you is a few extra kilocalories, and not much.

One swallowed gum will not make you feel bad. Another thing, if a large volume of “gum” blocks the gastrointestinal tract, preventing normal digestion. But here, really, it is worth trying.

Irina: Numerous cases and studies, and understanding of the physiology of digestion show that gum (except for natural gum) is not digested. It follows the esophagus, stomach, enters the intestines and leaves the body.

Although the solubility of the substance in water, and even more so in gastric juice, directly depends on the composition of the chewing gum. Most modern gum contains wax and resins, which are not broken down in the stomach.

Does the gum leave the body

Let us repeat once again: even with the condition that gum is not digested in the body, it is not harmful to health. Experts warn that the natural and artificial sweeteners in sugar-free gum can cause nausea, diarrhea and headaches if swallowed in large quantities.

Swallowing a piece of gum will do no harm. It’s hard to say where the myth about its extra-long digestion comes from. Most likely, this idea is related to the desire of parents to teach children not to swallow inedible products.

Gum sticks easily to shoes, but not to the wall of the stomach or intestinal tract. Instead of hanging around in the body for years, like under a desk at school, gum is simply “evacuated” along the same pathway as leftover food. The exception is people with serious gastroenterological diseases, which lead to the accumulation of food in the stomach due to problems with smooth muscles.

Irina: The gum can be delayed in the body, but it will come out for 2-3 days for sure (either in the form of the same gum or in dissolved form). Moreover, some components of gum act as a laxative (not in doses of one pad, but still).

If you swallow a dime, in all likelihood it will come out quickly. So too with gum, given its small size and flexible shape. But this does not apply to a situation in which a person swallows a pack at a time and repeats this trick 2-3 more times. Then the mass can really get stuck somewhere in the intestines.

Is it possible to chew gum during training?

Irina: Chewing gum in sports is an unusual tradition that appeared in the United States (basketball, volleyball, baseball). For athletes, such chewing helped them to concentrate, stay focused, and reduce stress levels. Fortunately, today this tradition has moved a bit away from sports, where more and more often the players’ uniforms include dental mouth guards.

There are at least three important reasons why you should part with gum for the duration of practice.

Choking risk

This may not be a big problem during strength training, but choking while running, for example, is very easy. Be careful!

Shortness of breath

Usually during vigorous exercise, we breathe through our mouths. This allows more oxygen flow for efficient muscle function and optimal well-being.

But if you chew, mouth breathing and holding your gum start to conflict with each other. Breathing technique is an important part of exercise, and it’s best to hold off on the “gum” for this time.

Cause of dehydration

Some people chew gum while exercising to prevent their mouth from drying out. This is because chewing gum mechanically irritates the receptors, causing the body to produce more saliva.

This approach is a waste of energy and resources. Saliva is a natural component of the digestive process and is produced to facilitate digestion. However, food does not enter the body, and all the lower parts of the gastrointestinal tract become activated and begin to produce juices intensely. This “cheating” can lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous during exercise. Make sure you drink enough fluids during your workout.

Irina: The main danger is the risk of choking on gum. In addition, constant chewing disrupts breathing, which you need to control during exercise. And because of saliva production, chewing gum can lead to dehydration.