Truths and Lies About the Human Body

Overview

• Discussing myths, legends, and old wives' tales about the human body.
• Today’s topics:
  • What happens when you swallow chewing gum?
  • Is it healthier to sleep on the left side?

Chewing Gum Digestion

Ingredients of Gum

• Common components: sugars, flavorings, sweeteners, colors, "gum base."
• "Gum base": includes elastomers, waxes, resins, fillers.

Digestion Process

• Oral Cavity: Saliva – moisturizes, softens, and starts digestion.
  • Chewing (mechanical digestion) – doesn’t break down gum base.
• Throat/Esophagus: Moves gum to the stomach, mucus keeps it moist.
• Stomach: Hydrochloric acid and enzymes can’t break down gum base.
  • Experiment: gum in hydrochloric acid = no breakdown.
• Small Intestine: Enzymes from pancreas, liver, gallbladder still can’t digest gum base.
• Colon: Gum behaves like indigestible fiber and exits the body in 2-3 days.

Key Points

• Gum does NOT stay in the body for 7 years.
• Extreme cases: swallowing multiple pieces can cause "gum bezoars."
• General advice: spit out gum, but accidental swallowing is not harmful.

Sleeping on the Left Side

Acid Reflux (Heartburn)

• Stomach’s left-side positioning: sleeping on left side may reduce acid moving up esophagus.
  • Advice: Raise head of the bed for consistent benefits.

Pregnancy

• 2nd/3rd Trimester: Enlarging uterus can compress blood vessels like inferior vena cava.
  • Advice: Sleep on side (left or right) to improve circulation for mother and fetus.

Conclusion

• Chewing gum myth: Lie – it does not stay in the body for 7 years.
• Left-side sleeping: has specific benefits but not a general health magic.

Final Notes

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