When you were a kid, your parents p

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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.