How Long Does It Take to Digest Gum

There are two different myths, doing rounds regarding gum swallowing and digestion. Some assume it takes seven years to digest, while others think it stays in forever, as gum is indigestible. Sadly, both are untrue. Although the second one is partially true. Go through the story to know more.

Gum is no food, and that is precisely the reason why you cannot digest gum. Every chewing gum is made up of, about or less than, 30% gum base. This gum base is either synthetic or natural, and possesses a certain rubber-like quality, rendering it unfit for digestion.

Apart from the gum base, chewing gum also contains a variety of other components. Glycerin is used to keep the chewing gum moist, while presence of vegetable oil derivatives maintains softness of the chewing gum. Also present are, artificial colorings, corn syrup or saccharin, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and sugar.

Other than the gum base, all other ingredients of a chewing gum are digestible and broken down by the stomach and intestines of the body. Since the gum base is resistant to saliva, digestive acids along the digestive track and even the stomach acid, it cannot be broken down and digested.

It therefore passes directly through the colon to the anus, and gets removed from the body like any other waste product.

When you swallow gum, it directly passes through the digestive system intact, and gets eliminated from the body along with other waste. The human body takes about 24 to 48 hours to throw away any form of undigested food in the form of feces. This is the exact time taken by the body to excrete the accidentally swallowed gum.

It should be noted that the gum comes out exactly the way it was, when swallowed, as it remains unharmed by any digestive acids or enzymes along the digestive path.

There are some instances where young children accidentally have swallowed lots of gum over a period of time and are plagued with gastrointestinal problems and also constipation. So although swallowing gum is harmless to the body, overdoing it can lead to serious disorders.

So, the next time you are in such a 'sticky' situation, you don't need to panic. For one last time, you cannot digest gum and in case you swallow it, it shall pass out of your body within 24 to 72 hours.