Swallowed chewing gum does not stay in your stomach for seven years.

The myth that gum lasts seven years in the gut is a common urban legend with no medical basis. While the human body lacks the enzymes to break down the gum base, which is often made of synthetic polymers like butyl rubber, the digestive tract is highly efficient at moving non-food items. This process is known as peristalsis, where rhythmic muscle contractions push contents through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.According to gastroenterologists at institutions like the Mayo Clinic, gum is treated similarly to insoluble fiber or a small swallowed object. It does not stick to the stomach lining or the intestinal walls because of the constant presence of mucus and digestive fluids. Most swallowed gum completes its journey through the digestive system in less than two to three days, depending on an individual's metabolic rate and hydration levels.Medical records show that complications from swallowed gum are extremely rare and usually only occur in children who swallow large quantities at once. In a 1998 study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers documented cases where excessive gum swallowing led to intestinal blockage, but these were exceptional circumstances. For the average person, an occasional swallowed piece of gum poses no long-term health risk and certainly does not linger for years.The persistence of this myth likely stems from the fact that gum base is indeed indigestible. However, indigestibility does not equal immobility. Just as the body passes corn husks or seeds, it effectively clears gum without any specialized intervention. Modern gum bases are specifically designed to be non-toxic and inert to ensure safety in the event of accidental ingestion.