What happens if you swallow gum? Is it true that gum can remain undigested in your stomach for up to seven years?

When chewing gum, it is possible to accidentally swallow it, but one theory is that 'swallowed gum can remain in the stomach for up to seven years,' so what happens to the swallowed gum is a very interesting thing. The Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit comprehensive medical facility in the United States, explains what happens when you swallow gum.

What Happens If You Swallow Gum?
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-you-swallow-gum

1: What happens if you swallow gum?
'Swallowing gum from time to time is fine and not a big problem, but it shouldn't be a habit,' says the Cleveland Clinic. Modern gum is made from a 'gum base ' that has no nutritional value and is not digested by the body. While food is digested as it passes through the body, gum remains in the body undigested.

2: Does gum stay in your stomach for years?
The Cleveland Clinic says that the idea that swallowed gum can remain in your stomach for up to seven years is a widely held urban myth, but it's not true. According to nutritionist Beth Cherwony, swallowed gum is excreted in the stool about 40 hours later.

3. Cases when you should consult a doctor
Generally, swallowed gum is naturally excreted, so there is no need to worry too much about swallowing gum. However, if you chew and swallow several pieces of gum at once, or swallow one piece of gum every day for a week, it can cause intestinal blockage.

When an intestinal blockage occurs, food cannot pass through the intestines, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, extreme satiety, cramps, and vomiting. If left untreated, it can even lead to a rupture of the digestive tract, so the Cleveland Clinic warns that if you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.

4: If your child swallows gum
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it's okay for children over the age of 5 to occasionally chew gum. If a child swallows a single piece of gum, it will pass in their stool after a few hours, just like an adult would.

However, if multiple pieces of gum are swallowed, you should monitor your child closely for signs of digestive upset. Before giving gum to your child, it is important to make sure they understand that gum is not to be swallowed and should be spit out.