If you swallow gum, will it dissolve in your stomach? Will it come out in your stool?

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

Gum is composed of sweeteners that produce aroma, flavorings, preservatives, and rubber-based binders. The base 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 organs such as the stomach, but passes through the digestive tract and is expelled within a day through bowel movements. The remaining ingredients, such as sweeteners and flavorings, are dissolved by stomach acid during digestion and are expelled efficiently.

Caution for people who have undergone partial gastrectomy

However, there are cases where caution should be exercised when swallowing gum. People who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery or have experienced intestinal obstruction, enteritis, or similar conditions should avoid swallowing gum, as it may stick to the intestines. It is also advisable for children not to swallow gum. Since children's digestive systems are narrower and their digestive functions are weaker than adults, gum can form lumps with other food in the stomach, potentially causing abdominal pain.

In addition, you should refrain from regularly swallowing large amounts of gum, such as swallowing gum daily or swallowing multiple pieces at once. This is because multiple undigested pieces of gum can accumulate in the stomach, affecting the digestive system and potentially causing intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal rupture, or indigestion.

There was a case in Orlando, USA, where a 4-year-old child swallowed 5 to 7 pieces of gum a day and experienced severe constipation. If symptoms such as abdominal pain or constipation, bloating, stomach cramps, or vomiting appear after swallowing gum, you should visit a hospital for medical treatment.

Chewing gum stimulates the satiety center

Meanwhile, chewing gum helps reduce calorie intake because it stimulates the satiety center. The hypothalamus, where the satiety center is located, contains the 'histamine nervous system,' which can be activated by chewing gum. Additionally, chewing gum increases saliva secretion, which in turn boosts immune antibody production.

A research team at Japan's Juntendo University found that saliva samples taken from subjects before and after chewing gum showed increased saliva production even after just 5 minutes of chewing, and salivary immunoglobulin A increased by 2.5 times. Immunoglobulins are substances in our bodies that defend against bacteria and viruses when they invade.

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If you swallow gum, will it dissolve in your stomach? Will it come out in your stool?