Chewing gum is generally meant to be chewed and then spit out. However, there are cases where people accidentally swallow gum.

Is there no problem with your health?

 

 

◇ Basic ingredients that create a chewy texture are hard to digest

 

Chewing gum is composed of flavoring sweeteners, flavorings, preservatives, and rubber-based base materials.

The basic ingredient that gives gum its chewy texture is not broken down by stomach acid, so it is not digested in the body.

Fortunately, it does not accumulate or stick to the stomach or other organs, but passes through the digestive tract.

It is expelled within a day through bowel movements.

In addition, the remaining ingredients such as sweeteners and flavorings are dissolved in stomach acid during digestion and are excreted efficiently.

 

 

Caution for people who have undergone partial gastrectomy

 

However, there are cases where you need to be careful about swallowing gum.

People who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery or have experienced intestinal obstruction, enteritis, etc., should avoid chewing gum as it may stick to the intestines.

 

It is advisable for children not to swallow gum.

Children have narrower digestive tracts and weaker digestive functions than adults, so gum stays in the stomach for a longer time.

It can form clumps with other foods and cause abdominal pain.

In addition, swallowing gum daily or swallowing multiple pieces of gum at once, among other things

You should also refrain from regularly swallowing large amounts of gum.

 

Multiple undigested bones are clustered in the stomach, affecting the digestive system.

Because it can cause intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal rupture, or indigestion.

 

Actually, in Orlando, Florida, a 4-year-old child swallowed 5 to 7 pieces of gum a day.

There was a case of severe constipation.

 

If you swallow gum and experience symptoms such as abdominal pain or constipation, bloating, stomach cramps, or vomiting, you should visit a hospital for medical examination.

 

 

Chewing gum stimulates the satiety center

 

Meanwhile, chewing gum helps reduce calorie intake.

 

Chewing gum stimulates the satiety center.

In the hypothalamus, where the satiety center is located, there exists the 'histamine nervous system.'

Chewing gum can activate the histamine nervous system.

 

Additionally, chewing the shell increases saliva secretion and boosts immune antibody levels.

 

Results from the Japanese Juntando University research team showed that saliva samples collected from subjects before and after chewing gum

Even chewing gum for just five minutes increased saliva secretion and the amount of immunoglobulin A in saliva by 2.5 times.

Immunoglobulins are substances that defend against bacteria or viruses invading our body.