What really happens when you swallow gum?

Question

I really want to know this because I used to swallow gum like crazy when I was small and i've been wanting to know the answer for a long time.

Answer 1

Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed and not swallowed, it isn't harmful if swallowed. An old wives' tale suggests that swallowed gum sits in your stomach for seven years before it can be digested. But this isn't true. If you swallow gum, it's true that your body can't digest it. But the gum doesn't sit in your stomach. It progresses relatively intact through your digestive system and is excreted in your stool.

Answer 2

It is digested like food.  

Answer 3

well the first 2 answers were pretty dumb.... it reallt wont do much to you, but if you swallow too much it can constipate you....

Answer 4

You eliminate it from your body just like you do the food you eat.

It's as simple as that.

Answer 5

nothing but it is not good for you to swallow to much of it.

Answer 6

You digest it.  

Answer 7

It stays in your stomach forever and if you swallow a watermelon seed a watermelon will grow in your belly...sorry, j/k. It will pass through your body same as anything else.

Answer 8

"Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed and not swallowed, it isn't harmful if swallowed. An old wives' tale suggests that swallowed gum sits in your stomach for seven years before it can be digested. But this isn't true. If you swallow gum, it's true that your body can't digest it. But the gum doesn't sit in your stomach. It progresses relatively intact through your digestive system and is excreted in your stool."

Answer 9

This site shows some scientificly proven facts and even a picture of what could potentially happen to innocent gum swallower.

http://thethunderdragon.co.uk/2008/01/wh...

Answer 10

Im chewing gum right now.

Dont swallow it, it takes longer to be digested, too much swallowed gum can cause worms O_O