25 Common Beliefs That Are Totally Wrong

Seven Years for Gum to Digest

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Chewing Gum Digestion The old tale that swallowed gum lingers in your stomach for seven years is a classic scare tactic, often told to kids. While gum isn’t digestible like regular food, your body handles it just fine. Gum’s synthetic base resists stomach acids, but like other indigestible items, it passes through via peristalsis—the gut’s natural movement. Within days, it’s expelled as waste, not stuck for years.

Swallowing gum now and then is safe for most, though large amounts or frequent swallowing could rarely cause blockages, especially in kids. This is called a bezoar, a buildup of undigested material. While the seven-year myth is false, it’s still smart to toss gum in the trash.