What really happens when you swallow chewing gum

Does it really stay in your body for seven years?

Chewing gum .jpg
Chewing gum .jpg
(Image credit: rex)

Does it really stay in your body for seven years?

Remember being told, probably when you were at school, that if you swallowed a piece of chewing gum it would stay in your body for seven years?

The news would have been delivered with grim authority by a classmate, possibly the same classmate who told you their brother had seen a UFO.

But is there any truth in it? Well, the American Chemical Society have investigated into the myth in the video below.

The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.