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Chewing Gum: Does It Take Years to Digest?

Does chewing gum pose health risks? For generations, kids have been told that swallowed chewing gum can sit undigested in the gut for weeks, months, even years. There is a theory that pegs the number of years taken for the human body to digest chewing gum at 7. It is just another one of those tactics used by parents and elders to deter children from adopting an unhealthy habit by instilling in them a false fear of the consequences.Remember how your siblings, uncles, or aunts told you that swallowing a fruit seed could lead to tree sprouting in your gut? It took you a few years to figure how there was not an iota of truth to it. The myth that chewing gum can take years to digest is somewhat similar, except that complex jargon on chewing gum’s composition makes this theory harder to dispel. Here are some key facts to help you understand how the human body processes an ingested chewing gum and why it is not a reason for concern.

The Fact  

Chewing gum can pass through the human digestive tract without causing any harm or obstructions and is typically eliminated the same way as other foods.

The Basis of This Myth

This myth is based mainly on the composition of the chewing gum. The logic often used to support this myth is that something so sticky and stretchy in its texture which cannot be broken down by the teeth can probably not be digested by the body either. Well, this is true in part. Chewing gum comprises a gum base or gum resin, softeners, sweetener, flavoring, and preservatives. Elements like sweeteners, flavoring agents such as mint oil, softeners such as glycerine or vegetable oil can all be digested within hours.The gum base or gum resin, on the other hand, can withstand the digestive enzymes and the acid in the stomach, and thus, cannot be broken down. However, the fact that gum base or gum resin cannot be broken down does not mean it sit in your gut for years. It is pushed down the digestive tract through the gut’s peristaltic actions and is ultimately excreted from the body. Even if, chewing gum wound up being stuck in your stomach for some reason, your body would present symptoms such as constipation to signal its presence long before seven years.Also Read: What Causes Receding Gums: Insights and Preventive Measures from Experts

Does That Mean It Is Safe to Swallow Gum?

The bottom line is that accidentally swallowing one odd chewing every now and then is notgoing to harm your health or adversely affect your digestive system in any way. This does not mean it is safe to cultivate a habit of ingesting gum regularly or in large quantities. When done in extreme, it can lead to health complications. It is especially important to keep kids from swallowing chewing gum, as their digestive systems are far more delicate.Also Read: Does Chewing Gum Make You Hungry? The Surprising Science UnveiledDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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Cracking Joints And Arthritis – Myth Debunked!

Pressing your joints, especially knuckles, until you hear them pop is something everyone has indulged in at some point in their lives. Many of you may have been cautioned against it by the elders in the family, citing the risk of arthritis. However, medical research has dispelled this traditional belief that cracking one’s joints can lead to arthritis as just another old wives’ tale. In short, cracking joints and arthritis have no connection! Here’s why:Cracking of Joints Does Not Cause ArthritisHearing your joints let out a loud pop can be a tad unsettling. In a time when medical science still was not developed enough to establish the cause and effect link between every minute action of the human body, co-relating cracking of joints to arthritis and other painful joint conditions was an easy assumption to make.However, researchers have now studied the tendency of popping of knuckle and other joints, known as crepitus in medical terms, long enough to conclude with certainty that the action is in no way linked to arthritis. A study on ‘crepitus and risk for hand osteoarthritis’ found that the risk of arthritis in knuckle crackers was no higher than that for non-crackers. The same is true for other joints such as knees, hips, or elbows.Read More: 6 Arthritis Symptoms To Watch Out ForWhat Causes the Popping Sound in the Joints?Crepitus or the popping sounds caused by bending your joints at a particular angle is caused by the release of tiny bubbles of gas that get accumulated slowly in synovial fluid – the fluid surrounding the joints. A sudden pull in the joints results in the release of these gas bubbles, and you hear a pop.This also explains why your joints pop more loudly on some days than others. Crepitus is a harmless condition that neither signals an underlying medical condition such as arthritis nor can lead to it. However, if the cracking happens involuntarily and is accompanied by pain, it could be a sign of abnormalities in the joint structures such as an injured ligament or loose cartilage.People who have arthritis, as well as other joint problems such as tendinitis or bursitis, may notice cracking sounds due to a snap in the swollen or irregular tissue structures. In short, cracking sounds, when accompanied by pain, could be a symptom of arthritis but not a cause.Also Read: Zerodol SPDoes that Mean You Can Indulge in this Habit as You Like?Well, cracking your knuckles as an act of relaxation once in a while is harmless. However, if you are a habitual joint cracker, you may want to make a conscious effort to rein in your tendency to pull and tug at your joints. A medical study comparing hand movements of people who cracked their knuckles with those who didn’t found that frequent knuckle crackers can be at risk of developing swelling in their hands and a weaker grip. Similarly, excessive cracking can compromise the optimum function of all other joints in the long run. It is also considered a nervous habit, much like biting nails or shaking legs.Like with everything else in life, moderation is the key when it comes to your joint cracking tendencies too. In any case, it won’t give you arthritis, of that you can be sure.Also Read: Arthritis Diet – Food That Is Good For ArthritisDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.