If I swallow gum, will it dissolve in my stomach? Will it come out in my stool?

Gum is usually chewed and spit out. However, there are cases where gum is accidentally swallowed.

Are you having any health problems?

 

 

◇The base ingredient that gives it a chewy texture is indigestible.

 

Gum is composed of flavoring agents, fragrances, preservatives, and a rubber base.

The base ingredient that gives gum its chewy texture is not broken down by stomach acid and is therefore not digested in the body.

Fortunately, it does not accumulate or stick to organs such as the stomach, but passes through the digestive system.

It goes down and is excreted within a day through bowel movements.

In addition, the remaining ingredients, such as sweeteners and flavorings, dissolve in stomach acid during the digestive process and are easily excreted.

 

 

◇Caution for those who have undergone colon resection

 

However, there are times when you need to be careful about swallowing gum.

People who have had gastrointestinal surgery or have experienced intestinal obstruction or enteritis are advised to avoid swallowing gum as it may get stuck in the intestines.

 

It is also advisable for children not to swallow gum.

Children have a narrower digestive system and weaker digestive function than adults, so gum can get stuck in the stomach.

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

In addition, swallowing gum every day or swallowing multiple pieces of gum at the same time in a day, etc.

You should also avoid swallowing large amounts of gum on a regular basis.

 

Several undigested pieces of gum accumulate in the stomach and affect the digestive system.

This is because it can cause intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal rupture, and indigestion.

 

In fact, a 4-year-old child in Orlando, USA, swallowed 5 to 7 pieces of gum a day.

There have been cases of severe constipation.

 

If you experience symptoms such as ▲stomach pain or constipation ▲swelling ▲stomach cramps ▲vomiting after swallowing gum, you should visit a hospital and receive treatment.

 

 

◇Chewing gum stimulates the satiety center

 

Meanwhile, chewing gum helps reduce calorie intake.

 

This is because chewing gum stimulates the satiety center.

There is a 'histamine nervous system' in the hypothalamus where the satiety center is located.

Chewing gum can activate this histaminergic nervous system.

 

Additionally, chewing the shell increases saliva secretion and increases immune antibodies.

 

A research team at Japan's Juntendo University collected saliva from subjects before and after chewing gum.

Chewing gum for just 5 minutes increased saliva secretion and the amount of immunoglobulin A in the saliva increased by 2.5 times.

Immunoglobulin is a substance that defends our body against bacteria or viruses that invade it.