Is it safe to swallowing chewing gum?

mk2norwich

While there is no evidence to my knowledge that swallowing gum is dangerous in any way, it is certainly not a practice I would recommend. The actual gum base is not in itself toxic, but it wouldn't do you any good if it became stuck in your throat! May 19 02, 1:25 PM

Jack Flash

When I was a young lad at school (many years ago now I fear) it was always said that chewing gum if swallowed would wrap itself around your heart and kill you. The total absurdity of this notion was dispelled by our biology teacher who pointed out that it was physically impossible for the gum to reach the heart anyway. However, whilst I am sure that gum in the stomach would be digested in the normal manner there have been cases where swallowed chewing gum has lodged in the windpipe with very serious effect; this happened to a rugby player here in England a couple of years ago. May 19 02, 3:29 PM

Andy	It is perfectly safe to swallow chewing gum. I admit (much to my chagrin) that I have done this quite a few times. Gum is treated just like a regular food. It goes down your esophagus, into your stomach, and is eventually removed from the body via bowel movement. May 20 02, 3:05 PM