Have you ever ever questioned what occurs if you swallow gum? Most of us have heard the outdated wives’ story that it takes seven years to digest, however is that basically true? On this article, we’ll discover the details behind what occurs to gum if you swallow it and dispel a few of the widespread myths.
Gum is made up of quite a lot of non-nutritive substances, together with gum base, sweeteners, flavors, and colours. It’s not digestible by the human physique, that means it can’t be damaged down by enzymes within the digestive tract. Because of this, if you swallow a chunk of gum, it’s going to go by your abdomen and intestines with out being absorbed. Though gum cannot be digested, it could nonetheless trigger issues if swallowed in giant portions.
Now that we all know what occurs to gum if you swallow it, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at a few of the potential issues it could trigger:
what occurs if you swallow gum
Gum passes by digestive system undigested.
- No dietary worth.
- Could cause digestive issues.
- Might result in constipation.
- Can type a bezoar.
- Hardly ever requires medical intervention.
- Chewing gum is mostly protected.
- Swallow small quantities often shouldn’t be dangerous.
Whereas swallowing gum shouldn’t be really helpful, it’s usually not dangerous if finished often and in small quantities. Nevertheless, when you expertise any digestive issues after swallowing gum, it is very important see a health care provider.
No dietary worth.
One of many key issues to grasp about gum is that it has no dietary worth. Which means it supplies no important vitamins to the physique, corresponding to nutritional vitamins, minerals, or fiber. Because of this, swallowing gum doesn’t contribute something constructive to your eating regimen.
In truth, some gums could even comprise elements which are dangerous to your well being. For instance, some gums comprise synthetic sweeteners, which have been linked to quite a lot of well being issues, together with weight achieve, insulin resistance, and elevated threat of coronary heart illness.
Moreover, some gums comprise sugar, which might contribute to tooth decay and different oral well being issues. Due to this fact, it’s best to keep away from swallowing gum, particularly in case you are attempting to keep up a nutritious diet.
If you happen to do occur to swallow a chunk of gum, it is very important drink loads of water to assist transfer it by your digestive system. You also needs to keep away from consuming giant meals, as this may make it harder for the gum to go by your intestines.
Typically, swallowing a small piece of gum won’t trigger any issues. Nevertheless, when you swallow a big piece of gum or when you swallow gum regularly, you might expertise digestive issues. Due to this fact, it’s best to keep away from swallowing gum altogether.
Could cause digestive issues.
As talked about beforehand, gum shouldn’t be digestible by the human physique. Which means it could go by the digestive system undigested, which might trigger numerous issues.
One potential downside is that gum can block the intestines. That is very true if a big piece of gum is swallowed. When gum blocks the intestines, it could trigger stomach ache, constipation, and nausea. In extreme circumstances, it might even require surgical procedure to take away the gum.
One other potential downside is that gum can type a bezoar. A bezoar is a tough mass of indigestible materials that may type within the abdomen or intestines. Bezoars could cause quite a lot of signs, together with stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting. They will additionally result in extra severe issues, corresponding to intestinal obstruction or perforation.
As well as, some individuals could expertise digestive issues, corresponding to fuel, bloating, and diarrhea, after swallowing gum. It is because gum can irritate the liner of the digestive tract.
If you happen to expertise any digestive issues after swallowing gum, it is very important see a health care provider. That is very true when you’ve got stomach ache, constipation, or nausea that doesn’t go away.
Might result in constipation.
Constipation is a standard downside that may be attributable to quite a lot of elements, together with eating regimen, way of life, and medical situations. Swallowing gum may contribute to constipation.
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Gum can block the intestines.
As talked about beforehand, gum shouldn’t be digestible by the human physique. Which means it could go by the digestive system undigested, which might trigger numerous issues, together with constipation. When gum blocks the intestines, it could make it tough for stool to go by, resulting in constipation.
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Gum can take up water.
Gum is a hygroscopic materials, which implies that it absorbs water. When gum is swallowed, it could take up water from the digestive tract, which might make stool laborious and dry, making it harder to go.
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Gum can decelerate digestion.
Gum can decelerate the motion of meals by the digestive tract. This may give the stool extra time to soak up water and turn out to be laborious, which might result in constipation.
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Gum can irritate the digestive tract.
Some individuals could expertise irritation of the digestive tract after swallowing gum. This irritation can result in irritation and constipation.
In case you are susceptible to constipation, it’s best to keep away from swallowing gum. If you happen to do swallow gum, be sure you drink loads of water to assist transfer it by your digestive system.
Can type a bezoar.
A bezoar is a tough mass of indigestible materials that may type within the abdomen or intestines. Bezoars will be attributable to quite a lot of elements, together with consuming sure meals, taking sure drugs, and swallowing international objects. Swallowing gum is among the commonest causes of bezoars in kids.
Gum shouldn’t be digestible by the human physique, so it could go by the digestive system undigested. In some circumstances, gum can accumulate within the abdomen or intestines and type a bezoar. Bezoars can vary in measurement from small and innocent to giant and life-threatening.
Signs of a bezoar can embody:
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Weight reduction
- Fatigue
In extreme circumstances, a bezoar could cause intestinal obstruction or perforation. This is usually a life-threatening situation.
If you happen to expertise any of the signs of a bezoar, it is very important see a health care provider straight away. Remedy for a bezoar sometimes includes eradicating it from the abdomen or intestines. This may be finished with treatment, endoscopy, or surgical procedure.
Hardly ever requires medical intervention.
Whereas swallowing gum could cause quite a lot of digestive issues, it hardly ever requires medical intervention. Typically, the gum will go by the digestive system with out inflicting any issues.
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Small items of gum are often handed with out issues.
If you happen to swallow a small piece of gum, it’s more likely to go by your digestive system with out inflicting any issues. It is because the gum is sufficiently small to be damaged down by the digestive juices and moved by the intestines.
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Gum will be dissolved by abdomen acid.
Abdomen acid is a robust acid that may assist to dissolve gum. For this reason gum that’s swallowed is commonly dissolved within the abdomen earlier than it reaches the intestines.
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Gum will be moved by the intestines by peristalsis.
Peristalsis is a collection of muscle contractions that assist to maneuver meals and different materials by the intestines. Peristalsis may assist to maneuver gum by the intestines.
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Gum will be expelled from the physique by defecation.
As soon as gum reaches the top of the intestines, it’s expelled from the physique by defecation. That is the most typical method for gum to go away the physique.
Nevertheless, in some circumstances, swallowing gum can result in extra severe issues, corresponding to intestinal blockage or bezoar formation. These issues could require medical intervention to deal with.
Chewing gum is mostly protected.
Chewing gum is a well-liked pastime that’s loved by individuals of all ages. Whereas swallowing gum shouldn’t be really helpful, chewing gum is mostly protected.
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Gum shouldn’t be poisonous.
The elements in gum will not be poisonous to the human physique. Which means chewing gum won’t trigger any hurt to your well being.
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Gum will help to wash your enamel.
Chewing gum will help to take away meals particles and plaque out of your enamel. This will help to stop cavities and gum illness.
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Gum will help to freshen your breath.
Chewing gum will help to freshen your breath by stimulating saliva manufacturing. Saliva helps to clean away micro organism and meals particles out of your mouth.
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Gum will help to alleviate stress.
Chewing gum will help to alleviate stress by offering a distraction and serving to to focus your consideration.
Nevertheless, it is very important be aware that chewing gum excessively can result in issues corresponding to jaw ache and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. It’s also necessary to keep away from chewing gum that comprises sugar, as this may contribute to tooth decay.
Swallow small quantities often shouldn’t be dangerous.
Whereas swallowing gum shouldn’t be really helpful, swallowing a small piece of gum often shouldn’t be dangerous. It is because the gum is more likely to go by your digestive system with out inflicting any issues.
Nevertheless, there are some things to bear in mind when you do swallow gum often:
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Make certain the gum is small.
If you happen to swallow a big piece of gum, it’s extra more likely to trigger issues corresponding to intestinal blockage or bezoar formation.
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Keep away from swallowing gum that comprises sugar.
Gum that comprises sugar can contribute to tooth decay. If you happen to do swallow gum that comprises sugar, be sure you brush your enamel quickly after.
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Drink loads of water.
Consuming loads of water will help to maneuver the gum by your digestive system extra simply.
If you happen to expertise any digestive issues after swallowing gum, corresponding to stomach ache, constipation, or nausea, it is very important see a health care provider.
General, swallowing a small piece of gum often shouldn’t be dangerous. Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential dangers and to take steps to reduce them.
FAQ
Listed here are some regularly requested questions on swallowing gum:
Query 1: What occurs if I swallow gum?
Reply 1: Typically, nothing will occur. The gum will doubtless go by your digestive system with out inflicting any issues.
Query 2: Can swallowing gum trigger well being issues?
Reply 2: Swallowing gum could cause well being issues in some circumstances. For instance, swallowing a big piece of gum can block the intestines or type a bezoar, which is a tough mass of indigestible materials. Swallowing gum may result in constipation.
Query 3: What ought to I do if I swallow gum?
Reply 3: If you happen to swallow a small piece of gum, you do not want to do something. Nevertheless, when you swallow a big piece of gum, you must drink loads of water and see a health care provider when you expertise any digestive issues.
Query 4: Is chewing gum protected?
Reply 4: Chewing gum is mostly protected. Nevertheless, chewing gum excessively can result in issues corresponding to jaw ache and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. It’s also necessary to keep away from chewing gum that comprises sugar, as this may contribute to tooth decay.
Query 5: Can I swallow sugar-free gum?
Reply 5: Sure, you’ll be able to swallow sugar-free gum. Nevertheless, it is very important be aware that sugar-free gum nonetheless comprises different elements that aren’t digestible. Due to this fact, it’s best to keep away from swallowing gum, even whether it is sugar-free.
Query 6: What are the advantages of chewing gum?
Reply 6: Chewing gum can have a number of advantages, together with serving to to wash your enamel, freshen your breath, and relieve stress. Nevertheless, it is very important chew gum carefully and to keep away from chewing gum that comprises sugar.
General, swallowing gum shouldn’t be really helpful. Nevertheless, swallowing a small piece of gum often shouldn’t be dangerous. If you happen to do swallow gum, be sure you drink loads of water and see a health care provider when you expertise any digestive issues.
Along with the data supplied within the FAQ, listed below are some further ideas to bear in mind:
Suggestions
Listed here are some ideas that will help you keep away from swallowing gum and to reduce the dangers when you do swallow gum:
Tip 1: Be aware of your gum.
Take note of the gum you’re chewing and keep away from swallowing it. If you end up by chance swallowing gum, spit it out instantly.
Tip 2: Select sugar-free gum.
If you will chew gum, select sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum is much less more likely to contribute to tooth decay and different oral well being issues.
Tip 3: Chew gum carefully.
Keep away from chewing gum excessively. Chewing gum an excessive amount of can result in issues corresponding to jaw ache and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
Tip 4: Drink loads of water.
Consuming loads of water will help to maneuver gum by your digestive system extra simply. If you happen to do swallow gum, drink additional water to assist flush it out of your system.
Tip 5: See a health care provider when you expertise any digestive issues.
If you happen to expertise any digestive issues after swallowing gum, corresponding to stomach ache, constipation, or nausea, see a health care provider straight away.
Following the following tips will help you to keep away from the potential dangers of swallowing gum. Nevertheless, it is very important do not forget that swallowing gum shouldn’t be really helpful. If you happen to do swallow gum, be sure you comply with the ideas above to reduce the dangers.
Along with the ideas supplied above, it’s also necessary to teach kids concerning the risks of swallowing gum. Kids usually tend to swallow gum than adults, so it is very important train them to spit out gum as a substitute of swallowing it.
Conclusion
Swallowing gum shouldn’t be really helpful, as it could trigger numerous well being issues, together with intestinal blockage, bezoar formation, and constipation. Nevertheless, swallowing a small piece of gum often shouldn’t be dangerous. If you happen to do swallow gum, be sure you drink loads of water and see a health care provider when you expertise any digestive issues.
Listed here are some key factors to recollect:
- Gum shouldn’t be digestible and may go by the digestive system undigested.
- Swallowing gum could cause digestive issues corresponding to intestinal blockage, bezoar formation, and constipation.
- Swallowing a small piece of gum often shouldn’t be dangerous, however it’s best to keep away from swallowing gum altogether.
- If you happen to do swallow gum, be sure you drink loads of water and see a health care provider when you expertise any digestive issues.
It’s also necessary to teach kids concerning the risks of swallowing gum. Kids usually tend to swallow gum than adults, so it is very important train them to spit out gum as a substitute of swallowing it.
General, it’s best to keep away from swallowing gum. Nevertheless, when you do swallow gum often, be sure you comply with the ideas supplied on this article to reduce the dangers.
Keep in mind, your well being is a very powerful factor. Taking good care of your digestive system is important on your total well-being. By following the ideas on this article, you’ll be able to assist to maintain your digestive system wholesome and keep away from the potential issues that may be attributable to swallowing gum.
