Debunking the Myth: Swallowed Chewing Gum Won’t Stay in Your Stomach for Years

Swallowing chewing gum won’t cause it to get stuck in your stomach, debunking a widely held myth.

Many believe that if you swallow gum, it remains in your stomach for years. However, according to the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Disorders (DGVS), this is not true. Dr. Birgit Terjung, a DGVS spokesperson, explains that chewing gum doesn’t adhere to the teeth, esophagus, or stomach lining when swallowed. It also doesn’t get stuck in the intestines.

The reason is that the mucous membranes in the digestive tract are coated with a fluid layer that prevents gum from sticking. While the digestible components of the gum are broken down by stomach acids and enzymes, the indigestible gum base, which gives gum its rubbery texture, simply passes through the digestive system and is eventually excreted.