I’m a gastroenterologist, so don’t swallow gum

It’s an old wives’ tale repeated by parents for decades – don’t swallow gum or it can stay in your stomach for years.

But while this may be a “common myth”, one expert says the warning should be heeded.

The gastroenterologist dr. Sara Mesilhy says your intestines cannot digest chewing gum because the main ingredient, the gum base, is made of synthetic rubber.

She says it travels through your body intact and can then cause a blockage in your digestive system, potentially leading to nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

According to the International Chewing Gum Association (ICGA), the gum base is what gives the gum its “chew”.

It consists of a combination of waxes, plasticizers and non-toxic and harmless polymers (strings of molecules).

“The gum base is made of synthetic rubber, which is not digested by the human body,” said Dr. Mesilhy.

“Instead, the gum base passes through the digestive system intact.”

She claims that the gums may take longer to process because the stomach is not designed to break down the gum base.

“The idea that chewing gum stays in the body for years is a common myth,” she added.

“In reality, the gum will go out of your system like any other food, but it may take a little longer.”

However, she warns that “swallowing” large amounts of gum or several small pieces in a short period of time can create a mass that blocks your digestive tract.

Your digestive tract is the organs through which food and liquids pass as they are swallowed, digested and absorbed before leaving the body as stool.

This blockage can disrupt this process and cause uncomfortable digestive problems.

However, this is rare.

Dr Mesilhy, who works for the ProbioticReviewGirl website, claims chewing gum can also pose a choking hazard and cause “severe respiratory problems” if accidentally inhaled.

But the ICGA says swallowing gum poses no greater risk than any other food.