Should you swallow gum balls? Separating myth from reality

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a survey by the National Confectioners Association, nearly 70% of people believe the myth that swallowed gum stays in your stomach for seven years. This widespread folklore has led to a lot of anxiety, but should you swallow gum balls or is there real danger behind the old story?

Quick Summary

An occasional swallowed gum ball is harmless and will pass through your digestive system, but the habit is not recommended. The myth that it stays in your stomach for seven years is false, though rare blockages can occur from large, repeated quantities, especially in children.

Key Points

Occasional Swallow is Harmless: Accidentally swallowing a single gum ball is not dangerous and will pass through your digestive system without issue, contrary to the myth.
No Seven-Year Stay: The idea that swallowed gum remains in your stomach for seven years is false; the undigestible base is eliminated in your stool within days.
Rare Risk of Blockage: Swallowing a large amount of gum, or gum combined with other foreign objects, can very rarely cause an intestinal blockage, especially in children.
Digestive Upsets Possible: In large quantities, artificial sweeteners like sorbitol in sugar-free gum can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Choking Hazard for Kids: Gum should not be given to young children under five years old, as they pose a choking risk if swallowed.
Spit, Don't Swallow: The safest and most hygienic practice is to always spit out chewing gum rather than swallowing it, regardless of the minimal risk involved.

The idea of swallowed chewing gum festering inside your stomach for years is a popular piece of folklore, but it's completely untrue. While the human body cannot digest the gum base, it does not get stuck inside you. The digestive system is a powerful and efficient machine, capable of processing food and moving along indigestible materials. A swallowed piece of gum simply travels the length of the gastrointestinal tract and is passed out in your stool within a few days, similar to how your body handles dietary fiber.

What happens inside your body?

When you swallow a piece of gum, it follows the same path as any other food or drink. It passes down the esophagus and enters the stomach, where stomach acid and digestive enzymes get to work. While these strong substances can break down the sweeteners, flavorings, and softeners in the gum, they are no match for the insoluble gum base, which is made of synthetic polymers, resins, and waxes.

The journey through the digestive system

Stomach: The gum base remains intact as the stomach processes digestible components. The gum will typically pass into the small intestine within an hour or two.
Small Intestine: Here, the body absorbs nutrients from the food you eat. The undigested gum continues its journey, propelled by the muscular contractions of the intestinal walls known as peristalsis.
Large Intestine and Excretion: The gum enters the large intestine, continuing its path toward elimination. It is then expelled from the body in a normal bowel movement, just like any other indigestible material.

When can swallowing gum become a problem?

While an occasional, accidentally swallowed piece of gum is harmless, there are specific, albeit rare, circumstances where it can cause issues. The primary risk is a bowel obstruction, which is extremely uncommon but can happen under certain conditions.

Factors that increase risk

Children: Young children are more susceptible to complications because they may not understand the difference between chewing and swallowing gum. They might also swallow multiple pieces in a short amount of time, leading to a build-up.
Large Quantity: Swallowing a very large wad of gum or many smaller pieces over a short period can potentially form a mass called a bezoar. This can cause a blockage in the digestive tract.
Other Objects: The risk increases significantly when gum is swallowed with other foreign objects, such as coins or sunflower seed shells, which can clump together with the gum to create a blockage.
Underlying Conditions: Individuals with digestive conditions like gastroparesis (paralyzed stomach) may be at a higher risk of gum and other foods building up in their stomach.

Health effects beyond the digestive tract

Beyond the rare risk of blockage, some ingredients in gum can cause other issues, especially when swallowed in large quantities. The sugar alcohols often used as artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, can have a laxative effect, causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Cinnamon-flavored gums can sometimes irritate the mouth lining.

Swallowing gum vs. chewing gum safety


Aspect	Swallowing Gum	Chewing Gum
Digestive Impact	Indigestible gum base passes through the body without issue in small amounts.	Enzymes break down flavorings and sweeteners.
Blockage Risk	Very rare risk of intestinal blockage from large quantities, especially in children or with other foreign objects.	No risk of intestinal blockage from chewing.
Dental Health	No direct impact, but sugary gums contribute to cavities.	Sugar-free gum can improve dental health by increasing saliva flow. Sugary gum can lead to cavities if not followed by proper brushing.
Accidental Ingestion	Harmless in moderation. Infants and young children face a choking hazard.	No risk of choking as long as it is not swallowed.
Sweeteners	Sugar alcohols like sorbitol can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea if swallowed in large quantities.	Sweeteners are absorbed during chewing, but can cause digestive issues if excess is swallowed. Sugar adds calories.

Conclusion: So, should you swallow gum balls?

An accidental, occasional swallow of a gum ball is not cause for alarm. The persistent myth about it staying in your system for years is simply untrue, and your body will expel the indigestible gum base naturally. However, this does not mean that swallowing gum is a recommended practice. Given the potential, though rare, risk of intestinal blockage from large or repeated ingestion, and the potential for digestive upset from sweeteners, it is always best to spit your gum out. Furthermore, gum can be a choking hazard for young children, so it should not be given to them until they are old enough to understand not to swallow it. The safest and most prudent approach is to enjoy the flavor and benefits of chewing gum, and then dispose of it properly.

This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific health concerns, consult a healthcare provider.

Mayo Clinic - Swallowing Gum: Is it Harmful?

How to safely dispose of gum

Wrap it in a piece of paper or wrapper to prevent it from sticking to surfaces.
Throw it in the trash, not on the ground.
Avoid sticking it under tables or chairs.
If you're out and about, use a public waste bin or hold onto it until you find one.

Following these simple guidelines ensures a clean environment and avoids any potential health risks associated with swallowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you accidentally swallow a single piece of gum, it's generally not a problem. Your digestive system will move the indigestible gum base through your gastrointestinal tract, and it will be passed in your stool within a few days, much like dietary fiber.

No, this is a widely-circulated myth. The human body cannot digest the gum base, but it does not get stuck. It moves through the digestive system and is eliminated from the body within a few days.

A bowel obstruction from swallowing gum is extremely rare. It can happen in very unusual circumstances, such as when a large, dense wad of gum is swallowed at once or if it's ingested along with other foreign objects.

For very young children (under 5 years), gum can be a choking hazard. For older children, while a single piece is generally harmless, repeated swallowing of multiple pieces over time could potentially lead to an obstruction. It's best to teach children not to swallow it.

Yes, in large quantities, the sugar alcohols often used as artificial sweeteners in sugar-free gum (like sorbitol) can have a laxative effect, potentially causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

The main component of gum that the body cannot digest is the gum base, which is made of a combination of synthetic polymers, resins, and waxes. While your digestive enzymes can break down the sweeteners and flavorings, they cannot break down the gum base.

If you or a child has swallowed a large mass of gum, especially with other objects, and experiences symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, or vomiting, you should seek medical attention. For a single, small piece, no special action is needed.