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It takes seven years to digest chewing gum

a01642829 — 2025-01-23 16:06:24 UTC

a01645475 — 2025-01-23 16:07:45 UTC

Most people empty their stomachs 30 to 120 minutes after eating, and that includes gum.

a01645475 — 2025-01-23 16:08:55 UTC

Myth or fact: it takes seven years to digest chewing gum. (n.d.). Duke Health. https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/myth-or-fact-it-takes-seven-years-digest-chewing-gum

2025-01-23 16:11:24 UTC

Gum, like most other undigested foods, will pass through you within 24-48 hours. The only exception would be if large amounts of swallowed gum congealed together and formed a blockage.

2025-01-23 16:12:05 UTC

Gum and the 7 Year Myth. (s. f.). Office For Science And Society. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health/gum-and-7-year-myth#:~:text=The%20widespread%20fear%20that%20chewing,together%20and%20formed%20a%20blockage.

a01642829 — 2025-01-23 16:12:34 UTC

we think that is reliable because the digestive system is quite capable of moving it along through peristalsis. Gum will generally pass through your system and be excreted within a day or two, just like other food components that can't be digested (like fiber).

a01645475 — 2025-01-23 16:15:02 UTC

We think that it’s reliable because if most people empty their stomachs 30 to 120 minutes after eating why would the gum stay for 7 years on the stomach.

a01642829 — 2025-01-23 16:15:14 UTC

the second one is also reliable, in very rare cases it lead to a blockage, especially in young children or people with certain gastrointestinal conditions.