Is Swallowing Chewing Gum Safe or Risky? Experts Provide Insights

Many of us have encountered the problem of what to do with chewing gum when a trash can is out of reach in convenient or necessary situations, but is this seemingly harmless act truly benign, or does it pose hidden risks?

While some may view it as a minor indiscretion, questions about this common practice's safety and health implications have persisted.

I Swallowing Chewing gum safe — Unsplash/ Karina Miranda

The Debate on Digestibility: Fact vs. Fiction

Understanding chewing gum's possible effects on health requires busting myths and illuminating the facts about what happens to the gum as it passes through the digestive system. Though there have long been concerns that gum takes seven years to break down, professionals ensure no scientific evidence supports this assertion.

The renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Ari Lamet, who practices in Hollywood, Florida, notes that although gum eating isn't always dangerous, it's not recommended. He argues that occasional gum ingestion in people with normal gastrointestinal function is unlikely to cause problems.

But because gum is indigestible, it doesn't decompose like food; instead, it passes through the digestive system largely undigested.

"Gum is non-digestible and has no nutritional value, so eventually, it will come out in your bowel movements," says Dr. Lamet. This understanding dispels unfounded worries about long-term digestive problems resulting from gum ingestion and demystifies the procedure.

Lamet's views are echoed by renowned pediatrician Dr. Kerry Frommer Firestein, CEO of Allied Physicians Group in New York. She emphasizes that even if the chewable material isn't broken down, it usually passes through the intestines without problems and comes out in a day's worth of bowel movements.

Dr. Firestein continues, "The chewy part of the gum is not able to be digested." "It will pass through your intestines and come out in a bowel movement within a day or so."

Breaking Down the Risks and Issues

Experts advise against making gum ingestion a habit despite these promises. Some people should proceed cautiously, especially if they have a history of gastrointestinal operations or obstructions. In certain situations, ingesting gum may worsen preexisting illnesses and result in consequences.

According to Dr. Firestein, regularly eating gum with non-food products or in significant amounts may increase the risk of intestinal obstructions. "They could all mix together and create something that gets stuck in the intestinal tract," she cautions.

Dr. Firestein cautions that regularly consuming gum containing non-food products or eating it in significant amounts may increase the risk of intestinal obstructions. She explains that these substances could mix and form a blockage in the intestinal tract.

Gum consumption in excess might also result in other health problems. Chewing gum frequently makes people swallow more air, which can cause discomfort like bloating and gas. Regular gum chewing may also factor in jaw-related issues such as headaches, earaches, and soreness.

Dr. Lamet advises that the best way to avoid an intestinal blockage is to avoid swallowing gum altogether. This straightforward yet practical advice highlights the importance of properly disposing of gum to reduce risks and maintain gut health.

In addition, although gum-related intestinal obstructions are uncommon, they highlight the significance of responsible gum use habits. Eating a big piece of gum or several little pieces at once, especially when combined with something indigestible, can increase the risk of intestinal blockage.

Chewing gum has several health benefits beyond the act itself. While swallowing gum is generally harmless, it can affect gas and bloating. Chewing gum promotes saliva production, which may help after bowel surgery by aiding healing. It also speeds up gut transit time during capsule endoscopy, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing complications.

Additionally, color-changing gum can be used as a diagnostic tool for evaluating oxygen levels and nutrition in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when eating. These benefits highlight gum's potential role in healthcare when not swallowed.