Does Swallowing Gum Harm You?

Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed and not swallowed, it generally isn't harmful if swallowed. ... If you swallow gum, it's true that your body can't digest it. But the gum doesn't stay in your stomach. It moves relatively intact through your digestive system and is excreted in your stool.

Can swallowing gum hurt you?

So, no, your gum doesn't stay in your body when you swallow it. But that's no reason to start gulping it down by the pack. ... This gum mass could potentially clog your digestive tract, causing an intestinal blockage which can trigger stomach pain or constipation. There's a lovely name for this blockage: a bezoar.

What happens if you swallow a lot of gum?

If you swallow a large amount of gum or if you swallow gum with other indigestible objects, that might cause a blockage. This could require surgery to remove it from your digestive tract. The symptoms of a blockage typically include abdominal pain and constipation, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.