Does chewing gum really stay inside you for years?

Scared of swallowing gum? You probably shouldn't be worried...

Luis Villazon

Asked by: Michael Crowne, Bournemouth

No. Chewing gum is indigestible but it doesn't have any magic property that allows it to escape the normal digestive transit. Three days is the usual limit.

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Luis Villazon

Q&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.

Does chewing gum really stay inside you for years? © iStock