Why can't you swallow chewing gum_

It is common sense when chewing gum, that is, the gum should be thrown away after chewing for a period of time, and the gum should not be swallowed into the stomach. Although swallowing gum by mistake generally does not cause harm, chewing gum is a substance that is not easy to digest. If swallowed, it is not good for the stomach and intestines. Especially for some children, accidental swallowing can cause some harmful problems. Let us learn about this aspect.

What happens if you swallow gum?

Swallowing gum will not cause a blockage unless you already have an intestinal obstruction. Accidentally swallowing chewing gum will not cause intestinal adhesions, as there is a large amount of mucus on the inner wall of the human stomach and intestines, so chewing gum will not get stuck. But chewing gum is not good for your body, so it is best to eat less. Doctors pointed out that the inner wall of the human stomach and intestine is very smooth and secretes a large amount of mucus, so it is impossible for chewing gum to get stuck. If it cannot be digested after being swallowed into the stomach, it will be automatically excreted without the need for surgery.

What should I do if my child swallows gum?

In fact, even if children swallow the chewing gum, it will not pose any great danger to the human body. Although chewing gum contains a certain amount of gelatin, after entering the stomach and encountering gastric acid, it is hydrolyzed under the action of gastric acid, and with the action of digestive enzymes, the chewing gum can be completely denatured and can be excreted from the body through normal digestive pathways. So there is generally no danger for children to chew gum. In fact, there will be no problem if you accidentally ingest chewing gum. It will be excreted through intestinal peristalsis and will not cause any impact on the human body. Although it is not recommended for children to swallow, xylitol gum can be swallowed. The gum contained in chewing gum is generally not easy to digest.

Most people can eliminate it through defecation. Since the inside of the human intestine is relatively smooth, it secretes a large amount of mucus. It is impossible for chewing gum to stick to the stomach or intestinal wall. After being swallowed into the stomach and cannot be digested, it will be excreted through the feces. In addition, infants and young children under three years old should not chew gum. Chewing gum on an empty stomach can easily cause some uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness. If they chew gum for a long time, they are prone to gastritis or gastric ulcers. It is best not to chew gum for more than 20 minutes after a meal, otherwise some digestive fluid secreted when chewing gum will damage our gastric mucosa.