How Long Does It Take to Digest Swallowed Gum?
When you were a kid, your parents probably told you not to swallow watermelon seeds because they'd grow a watermelon in your tummy. While most people grow up and find that this is not the case.
当你还是个孩子的时候，你的父母可能会告诉你不要吞下西瓜籽，因为它们会在你的肚子里长成西瓜。然而大多数人长大后都会发现，事实并非如此。
But many of us still carry the belief we obtained during childhood that it takes gum seven years to digest in the stomachs of those who swallow it.
但我们很多人仍然抱有儿时的信念：吞下的口香糖要在的胃里消化7年。
There are actually several parts of gum that digest as easily as other foods like sweetener. The part of gum that your body has trouble digesting is the base, which is a mix of polymers, both synthetic and natural.
实际上，口香糖中有些成分和其他食物一样容易消化，比如甜味剂。人体难以消化的那部分是口香糖的基质，它是由人工和天然的聚合物混合而成的。
Still, your body won't be able to break the gum base down like it does other food, even with the help of seven-years' time. This also doesn't mean, however, that your body will retain the gum for such a long time.
不过，你的身体还是无法像消化其他食物一样消化口香糖，即使用上7年，情况也是一样。然而，这并不意味着口香糖会在你身体里停留这么长时间。
Instead of just sitting in your stomach, a regular piece of swallowed gum will move through your digestive system and pass as regular waste when you go to the bathroom.
当你上厕所的时候，一块被吞下的口香糖会通过你的消化系统，最后作为粪便排出，而不会一直停留在你的胃里。
So, there you have it. Most of the time, a person can swallow gum safely without any problems and it will no longer be in their system in less than a week.
所以，事情就是这样了。大多数时候，人们可以安全地吞下口香糖，不会有任何问题。不到一个星期，口香糖就会从人体中排出。
There are some rare cases, though, where individuals, usually children, have seen issues associated with their gum-swallowing. This is because children are more likely to swallow large amounts of gum.
但也有一些罕见的情况，有些人，通常是儿童，吞下口香糖后，身体会出现一些问题。这是因为儿童更有可能吞下大量的口香糖。
If you're a gum-chewer, the truth is this: you don't have to worry about swallowing the occasional piece of gum, as it won't take seven years to leave your system.
如果你喜欢嚼口香糖，事实是这样的：如果你只是偶尔吞下一块口香糖，不用担心，它并不会在你的身体里停留七年之久。
However, like every action, it's important not to take it too far, as swallowing too much gum can potentially cause problems, especially in small children.
然而，就像任何事一样，重要的是不要太过分，因为吞下太多的口香糖可能会带来一些问题，尤其是对小孩子来说。
2025年12月19日于经典龙苑
