Does gum really stay in you for seven years?

But if that were true, what kind of havoc would that wreak?

But if that were true, what kind of havoc would that wreak?

Our digestive system is built to dissolve and excrete what we put in our mouths in a matter of hours, days at most, but certainly ­not years.The urban legend reference Web site Snopes.com put the kibosh on the rumor that gum stays in you for years, and medical science confirms the site's conclusion.

Our digestive system is built to dissolve and excrete what we put in our mouths in a matter of hours, days at most, but certainly ­not years.The urban legend reference Web site Snopes.com put the kibosh on the rumor that gum stays in you for years, and medical science confirms the site's conclusion.

Our digestive system is built to dissolve and excrete what we put in our mouths in a matter of hours, days at most, but certainly ­not years.The urban legend reference Web site Snopes.com put the kibosh on the rumor that gum stays in you for years, and medical science confirms the site's conclusion.

When you swallow food, it travels down your esophagus into your stomach.

Gum base is made mostly of synthetic chemicals, and these chemicals give gum its chewy property.

But once it's swallowed, even the gum base is subjected to the same treatment as regular food, and after it's recognized as useless by your digestive system, it goes the same route as any waste product.

But once it's swallowed, even the gum base is subjected to the same treatment as regular food, and after it's recognized as useless by your digestive system, it goes the same route as any waste product.

But once it's swallowed, even the gum base is subjected to the same treatment as regular food, and after it's recognized as useless by your digestive system, it goes the same route as any waste product.

Chewing gum began as early as 7,000 years ago -- researchers have found lumps of tar with human teeth marks in them.

Chewing gum began as early as 7,000 years ago -- researchers have found lumps of tar with human teeth marks in them.

Modern gum got its start during the 1860s, when exiled Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (who captured the Alamo in March 1836) introduced chicle to gum maker Thomas Adams, who then made it into gum.

Modern gum got its start during the 1860s, when exiled Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (who captured the Alamo in March 1836) introduced chicle to gum maker Thomas Adams, who then made it into gum.

Despite the evidence lent by the continued healthy existence of those who swallow gum, this rumor persists.

David Milov and colleagues wrote in the journal Pediatrics about a few case studies of kids who had ignored admonishments against swallowing gum -- and paid for it.

David Milov and colleagues wrote in the journal Pediatrics about a few case studies of kids who had ignored admonishments against swallowing gum -- and paid for it.

Years of swallowing five to seven pieces of gum each day led to a "'taffy-like' trail of fecal material" consisting mostly of gum, which had to be suctioned out of his rectum [source: Milov].

The boy who had the "'taffy-like' trail" was just 4 when he underwent the removal procedure.

It's possible that the gum might have remained in his tract for seven years, but intervention by physicians circumvented that.

It's possible that the gum might have remained in his tract for seven years, but intervention by physicians circumvented that.

So while he will always be a walking footnote in support of the fears of mothers everywhere, the seven-year mark remains elusive.