"Why can't we eat gum?" / myLot

Philippines

November 22, 2020 7:19pm CST

During my childhood years, elders kept on telling me not to swallow gum. One reason is that gum is sticky. If you swallow it, you might get sick. In fact, it is not that harmful to our body unless if you swallowed it in bulk.

Have you tried to swallow one or two? Is it harmful to swallow gum? Image Credit: verywellhealth.com

14 people like this

17 responses

ultraman cosmos

@id_peace (14005)

• Singapore

23 Nov 20

I was told that if we swallow that we could end up having the gum stuck in our digestive system and we will die.

3 people like this

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Notlilie

@prinzcy (32305)

• Malaysia

23 Nov 20

I guess Asian elders use the same method to scare us.

2 people like this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

@id_peace It is also the same rationale given by the elders here. @Cheyee

2 people like this

Teti ariani

@Cheyee (8344)

• Pakanbaru, Indonesia

23 Nov 20

Just like my childhood. My parents told me the same thing.

2 people like this

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (341743)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Nov 20

I was never allowed to have it. I think too many kids were running round with the mouths wide open chewing away. It wasn't a good look.

2 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (471969)

• Switzerland

23 Nov 20

@JudyEv I fully agree, mom did not let us chew gums because it was not a good look.

2 people like this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

24 Nov 20

At some point, I agree with you. It is not a good thing for kids to have them. It can also cause tooth decay because of its sweetness.

2 people like this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (90295)

• Arvada, Colorado

24 Nov 20

It is not good surely. It is not a substance to be eaten

1 person likes this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

25 Nov 20

I am wondering why they are still existing if not edible to eat.

1 person likes this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (90295)

• Arvada, Colorado

25 Nov 20

@Shavkat I have no idea so strange human stuff

1 person likes this

LK2018

@Letranknight2015 (52072)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

Probably once by accident.

1 person likes this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

I thought I am the only one who experienced this.

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

24 Nov 20

@id_peace

1 person likes this

ultraman cosmos

@id_peace (14005)

• Singapore

24 Nov 20

I did that before as well.

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[eds]

@ZedSmart (19786)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

When I was 9 then, I accidentally swallowed the gum I chewed. It gave me emotional stress because I believe that it would stick in the stomach as what my classmates had told me. I cannot even poop because of the stress . I was relieved with my worries when mother does the explanation.

2 people like this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

I had the same moment. I thought it will make me so ill at that time. I can imagine how you felt so stressed out.

1 person likes this

sophie a

@sophie09 (34236)

• Indonesia

23 Nov 20

Never swallowed them. Lol im being paranoid

1 person likes this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

24 Nov 20

As an adult, I am always telling kiddies not to swallow them.

1 person likes this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

25 Nov 20

@sophie09 I hope they will listen.

sophie a

@sophie09 (34236)

• Indonesia

25 Nov 20

@Shavkat yes always teach them the right thing

1 person likes this

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rsa101

@rsa101 (38166)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

Well l think that gums are hard to digest in the first place that’s why they are not recommended to be swallowed. You can see how those thrown gums on the streets the last long and after a while it hardens. Maybe to some people it may take a lot of effort to really digest it and to some it may be easier.

1 person likes this

snowy

@snowy22315 (181946)

• United States

23 Nov 20

I have swallowed gum several times with no ill effects. Not sure how that whole rumor got started.

Notlilie

@prinzcy (32305)

• Malaysia

23 Nov 20

I stop chewing gums after I felt bloated. It's like my body was full of air and it's a bit uncomfortable. I did heard about swallowing the gum too. It could get stuck in your body. Of course I haven't heard it from a proven research. It was something told by the elders. Probably to scare us not to chew too many gum. Doesn't matter. I don't like it anyway.

Anna

@LadyDuck (471969)

• Switzerland

23 Nov 20

No, it is not harmful, your stomach cannot digest it, but it does not stay there. it moves )relatively intact) through your digestive system and is expelled in your stool.

rakski

@rakski (125762)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

I accidentally swallow a gum when I was young, after that no more gums for me

1 person likes this

Thelma

@thelme55 (77168)

• Germany

23 Nov 20

My parents were telling me that too when I was a child. It makes me nervous seeing a person chewing gum like a cow. Yucky!

Simone

@Janet357 (75646)

•

23 Nov 20

I never swallow a gum. It is kinda risky.

1 person likes this

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

As an adult, we cannot do this. When I was a kid, I had swallowed a couple of times. Luckily, I am still fine.

Piyush bhatia

@piyushbhatia1 (11695)

• India

23 Nov 20

I prefer fruits

Shavkat

@Shavkat (140102)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

I think some people love the same thing.

1 person likes this

@freelancermariagrace (28588)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

Yes, when I was younger - by accident

Shayens Abran

@sweetshayens (328)

•

23 Nov 20

I have same myth too to not swallow gum candy as it could trapped in our stomach, and I just believed it even till now. :-) Some even told me that the candy's material is same as car tires that made us more afraid to swallow them

jdbc

@jdbces (1845)

• Philippines

23 Nov 20

I think I did when I was young.