Swallowing Gum: Is It Harmful?

Gum is made from a synthetic product called gum base, which contains non-nutritive ingredients such as emulsifiers and indigestible fillers, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, our bodies are able to digest some other components added to gum, such as sweeteners. Some experts warn against swallowing gum due to its difficult digestibility, especially in the absence of the necessary enzymes to break down certain products found in gum. Dr. Nancy MacGregor, a gastroenterologist at Duke University Medical Center, stated, "If it's a piece or two of gum, it's unlikely that anything undesirable or negative will happen to a person." Swallowing small amounts of gum should not pose a problem, but large amounts may lead to "vomiting, constipation, bloating, pain, or changes in bowel habits," according to the Illinois Poison Control Center. However, swallowing gum can cause intestinal blockage in rare cases, especially if a person consumes a lot at once, according to Julia Zumbano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic's Human Nutrition Center in Ohio. Additionally, ingesting too much sorbitol, a sugar alcohol commonly found in sugar-free gum, can cause gastrointestinal issues, particularly diarrhea, as it pulls water into the intestines, MacGregor noted.