Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed and not swallowed, it generally isn't harmful if swallowed. Folklore suggests that swallowed gum sits in your stomach for seven years before it can be digested. But this isn't true.
Even though swallowing gum may be harmless to your digestive tract, gum isn't always kind to your stomach. The additive sorbitol, which is used in sugarless gum, can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you swallow large quantities of sugarless gum, it might lead to nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.
“Left untreated, it can cause a rupture of the gastrointestinal tract.” See medical attention immediately if you've swallowed a lot of gum and start to experience signs of an intestinal blockage, like: Abdominal pain.
Most of the time, swallowing your chewing gum by accident won't lead to any significant health consequences. The undigested gum will simply pass a day or two later in a bowel movement.
Limit gum to five or six pieces per day.
Though most people can tolerate sugar alcohols in small amounts, too much could lead to bloating and diarrhea, Planells explained.
The human body cannot digest the gum base. 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 (poop).
Chewing Gum Facts
Chewing gum takes up to 5 years to biodegrade.
So it might be a surprise that chewing gum contains plastic. The ingredient know as “gum base” in the list of ingredients in chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate.
Typically, the dose needed to cause poisoning is at least 0.05 grams per pound of body weight (0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight). Chewing gums and breath mints contain a wide variety of xylitol per piece of gum or mint.
You can get sick with food poisoning after swallowing certain germs, like Salmonella or E. coli.
The composition of chewing gum consists of a gum base or gum core, which may or may not be coated. Gum base is composed of an insoluble gum base (resins, humectants, elastomers, emulsifiers, fillers, waxes, antioxidants, and softeners), sweeteners, and flavoring agents.
Stomach aches – when you chew gum, you swallow excess air which can lead to stomach aches and bloat. When you are chewing gum, you are telling your body you are ready to eat and the body releases acids and enzymes that help digest food – with no food present, this can bloating and high acid in your stomach.
Again, when you chew gum you're swallowing excess air which can cause bloating. Gum may help your breath, or even keep you from eating when you're not hungry — but it can also be a hidden reason for your bloating.
3. Chewing gum. Chewing gum on an empty stomach is not a healthy practice because when you chew gum, your digestive system produces more acid. This acid can affect the lining of your stomach since there is no food in the stomach, increasing the risk of stomach ulcers.
Research corroborates that constantly chewing gum, at all hours of the day can create problems like jaw pain, headaches, diarrhea, and tooth decay. There is no ideal time frame for chewing gum.
Chewing gum for hours on end can cause damage to your teeth and gums. After constant chewing, there can be a buildup of acid that can weaken your enamel, leading to chipping and cracking in the long run.
Fifteen minutes is the maximum time you should chew your gum. Any time over that could result in jaw muscle exhaustion. Continued excessive gum chewing may even create problems with your jawbone health, known as .
Chewing gum on a regular basis as a habit can also lead to excessive wear on the tooth enamel, and even lead to changes in your bite alignment. Specifically, the upper molars may spread apart gradually, while the lower molars begin to gradually drift backward leading to an overbite.
Swallowed blood can irritate your stomach and cause vomiting. And vomiting may make the bleeding worse or cause it to start again. Spit out any blood that gathers in your mouth and throat rather than swallowing it.
Many sugar-free chewing gums contain a sweetener called sorbitol. Sorbitol is a laxative which is poorly absorbed by the small intestine.
Chewing gum has become a common habit for a number of reasons, including stress reduction, to help quit smoking, reducing food cravings, and just plain enjoyment. Unfortunately, this seemingly harmless habit can have a number of negative side effects on your health and can even damage your health.
If you're concerned about additives, choose a chew that uses all-natural ingredients, like Project 7 Naturally Sweetened Everest Peppermint Gum or Xylichew Peppermint Gum. And you can protect your teeth by selecting sugar-free gum options like Extra Polar Ice Gum, Dentyne Ice Arctic Chill Gum, or Pur Wintergreen Gum.