Have you ever heard someone say that if you swallow gum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years? This is a story that many people believe, but it’s not true! In this article, we will learn about where gum comes from, what it’s made of, and what really happens if you swallow it by accident.
Chewing gum has been around for a very long time. People have been chewing different kinds of gum since the Stone Age! In Finland, scientists found a piece of gum made from birch bark that is over 5,500 years old. Long ago, the Mayans and Aztecs chewed a natural gum called chicle, which came from the sap of a tree called the sapodilla. They used it to freshen their breath and clean their teeth.
The ancient Greeks had their own gum made from the resin of the mastic tree, which was good for keeping teeth healthy. The gum we chew today started in the 1860s when people began adding flavors to it, making it more fun to chew.
When you eat food, your body breaks it down so you can get the nutrients you need. But gum is different. It’s made from a type of rubber that your body can’t digest. Even though your body can’t break it down, swallowing gum doesn’t mean it will stay in your stomach for seven years.
Instead, your body treats gum like any other food it can’t digest. It moves through your digestive system and leaves your body in about three days.
Swallowing a piece of gum by mistake is usually not a big deal. But if you swallow a lot of gum, it can cause a blockage in your digestive system, which might need a doctor’s help to fix. So, it’s best to spit out gum when you’re done chewing it.
Did you know that the first bubble gum was pink? That’s because the inventor only had pink coloring left! Also, chewing gum can help you concentrate better, remember things, and even make you feel more awake. So, if you chew gum in class, it might actually help you learn!
In conclusion, the idea that swallowed gum stays in your stomach for seven years is just a myth. While it’s important not to swallow too much gum, a single piece will pass through your body without any problems. Now you know the truth, and you can share it with others!
