Chewing gum is a popular habit across the world. Whether you’re looking to freshen your breath, promote mental focus, or simply because you like the taste, chewing gum is widely available and easy to get hold of.

There’s no denying that this habit is prevalent, but there’s also a lot of misinformation and myths surrounding chewing gum. One of the most common misunderstandings about chewing gum is that it’s indigestible, and if swallowed, it can cause serious health problems.

In this article, we’ll explore this myth and find out what actually happens when you swallow chewing gum.

What Is Chewing gum Made of?

Before we get into the details of what happens when you swallow gum, let’s first look at what chewing gum is made of. Chewing gum is made up of a combination of synthetic rubber, elastomers, preservatives, flavorings, and sweeteners.

These ingredients are mixed together to form a sticky mass that you chew to release the flavors and stimulate your taste buds. The synthetic rubber, which is the main ingredient in gum that gives it its elasticity, is called polyisobutylene. This ingredient is widely used in the production of car tires and other rubber products.

What Happens When You Chew Gum?

When you chew gum, you stimulate your salivary glands which release saliva into your mouth. Saliva is a vital component in the digestive process, and it contains important enzymes and other nutrients that help to break down food.

When you chew gum, you’re not actually eating anything, but your body still thinks that it is. This means that your digestive system starts to prepare itself for the food that’s coming. Your stomach starts to produce digestive enzymes, and your intestines start to secrete mucus to help lubricate the food as it passes through.

Can You Digest Chewing Gum?

Contrary to popular belief, chewing gum is not completely indigestible. Although your stomach and intestines can’t break down the synthetic rubber that’s found in gum, they can still move it through your digestive system.

Most of the time, the gum will pass through your system undigested and will be eliminated in your feces within a few days. However, if you swallow a lot of gum, or if you have a digestive disorder, then the gum may become stuck in your digestive tract, which can potentially cause a blockage. This is a rare occurrence, but it’s still a possibility.

What Happens When You Swallow Gum?

So, what actually happens when you swallow gum? When you swallow gum, it moves down your esophagus and into your stomach.

Although your stomach can’t digest the synthetic rubber, it can still break down the other components of the gum, such as the flavorings and sweeteners. The gum will then move into your small intestine, where most of the nutrients from your food are absorbed. However, at this point, the gum will still be intact and won’t have broken down any further.

As the gum moves through your small intestine, it will continue to travel towards your large intestine, where the majority of water is absorbed from the undigested food.

Here, the gum will be held until it’s eventually eliminated as a bowel movement. Because the synthetic rubber in gum doesn’t break down, the gum will be excreted in your feces in the same form as when you swallowed it.

Can Swallowing Gum Be Harmful?

Swallowing gum is not harmful in most cases. However, as mentioned earlier, if you swallow a lot of gum, or if you have a digestive disorder, then the gum may become stuck in your digestive tract, which can cause a blockage.

Symptoms of a blockage may include bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation. This is a rare occurrence, but if you experience any of these symptoms after swallowing gum, then seek medical attention immediately.

Additionally, swallowing gum regularly can lead to other health problems such as tooth decay, as gum contains sugars that can stick to your teeth, promoting the growth of harmful bacteria.

Chewing gum excessively can also lead to jaw pain and headaches, as well as problems with your TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

Conclusion

In conclusion, chewing gum is not completely indigestible as many believe. Although your digestive system can’t break down the synthetic rubber found in gum, it can still move it through your digestive tract and eliminate it in your feces.

However, it’s important to remember that excessive gum-chewing can lead to other health problems such as tooth decay, jaw pain, headaches, and digestive issues. It’s crucial to practice moderation and listen to your body’s signals when it comes to chewing gum.