Health
Ask a doc: 'Is it dangerous to swallow gum?'
It might be tempting to swallow chewing gum if there’s no trash can nearby to dispose of it — but is it dangerous to do so?
Though it’s not necessarily a health hazard, swallowing gum is not a good habit, according to Dr. Ari Lamet, a gastroenterologist in Hollywood, Florida.
“Swallowing a piece of gum occasionally should not be an issue if you have a normal GI tract or have not experienced an intestinal blockage,” Lamet told Fox News Digital.
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What about those age-old warnings about gum taking seven years to digest?
The truth is, it doesn’t actually digest at all.
Though it’s not necessarily a health hazard, swallowing gum is not a good habit, according to doctors. (iStock)
“Gum is non-digestible (and has no nutritional value), so eventually, it will come out in your bowel movements,” Lamet said.
Dr. Kerry Frommer Firestein, a pediatrician and CEO of Allied Physicians Group in New York, agreed that swallowing gum will likely have minimal-to-no impact on your health.
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“The chewy part of the gum is not able to be digested,” she told Fox News Digital. “It will pass through your intestines and come out in a bowel movement within a day or so.”
However, swallowing gum can be more dangerous for some people, the doctors warned.
“If you have had GI surgery or experienced previous blockages, it is best to avoid swallowing gum,” Lamet said.
Swallowing gum can be more dangerous for some people, the doctors warned. (iStock)
Swallowing gum could be more dangerous in someone who swallows large quantities on a regular basis, Firestein noted.
It can also be dangerous if swallowed with other non-food items, she added. “They could all mix together and create something that gets stuck in the intestinal tract.”
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Chewing gum can also cause you to swallow more air than usual, she warned — which can cause gas and bloating.
“The best way to avoid an intestinal blockage is not to swallow” gum at all, one doctor advised. (iStock)
“It can also cause jaw problems leading to jaw pain, headaches and earaches,” she said.
Even if you don’t fall into one of the higher-risk categories, it’s best not to make swallowing gum a habit, according to Lamet.
“The best way to avoid an intestinal blockage is not to swallow it at all.”
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Years of high-intensity exercise may come with an unexpected heart risk for male endurance athletes over the age of 50, according to new research from the University of Leeds.
The study, published earlier this month in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found that some endurance athletes over the age of 50 experienced potentially dangerous heart rhythm disturbances during or shortly after exercise, particularly those with scarring in the heart muscle.
Researchers followed 106 healthy male runners and cyclists using wearable activity trackers and implantable heart monitors.
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About one in four experienced episodes of ventricular tachycardia, a rapid heart rhythm that can become life-threatening if sustained. Three in four of the athletes who had these episodes showed evidence of myocardial scarring.
A new study found that some endurance athletes older than 50 experienced potentially dangerous heart rhythm disturbances during or after exercise. (iStock)
“Our study shows that exercise was only associated with a risk of developing abnormal heart rhythms in those who were already high risk due to heart scarring,” lead author Wasim Javed said.
Researchers note that about 90% of exercise-related sudden cardiac deaths occur in males over 40, often without warning signs.
According to the American Heart Association, regular physical activity — even as little as 30 minutes most days — can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Cardiologists at the Cleveland Clinic also say exercise strengthens the heart, improves circulation and supports overall cardiovascular health.
Researchers followed 106 healthy male runners and cyclists using wearable activity trackers and implantable heart monitors. (iStock)
The findings suggest that while long-term endurance training may carry risks for a small subset of older athletes, exercise itself remains overwhelmingly beneficial.
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“Athletes who developed abnormal heart rhythms were not exercising more or harder than athletes without abnormal heart rhythms,” Javed said.
Experts say regular physical activity and exercise can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. (iStock)
“This suggests that exercise itself is not the cause but could act as a trigger for dangerous heart rhythms in those athletes already with an underlying heart issue.”
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Researchers say older male athletes, especially those with long competitive histories, should consider regular cardiovascular screening and discuss symptoms like unexplained dizziness, palpitations or breathlessness with a doctor. Wearable heart-monitoring devices may also help detect irregular rhythms early.
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“Exercise is safe and has immense benefits, but athletes in this group should have regular health checks to make sure they stay healthy,” Javed said.
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Social connection is known to be a key factor in overall health and well-being.
About one in six people worldwide experience loneliness, which is linked to around 871,000 deaths annually due to impacts on health, according to the World Health Organization.
One approach gaining attention is the 5-3-1 rule, a simple framework designed to help people build and maintain social relationships in everyday life.
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The rule was reportedly developed by Canadian sociologist Kasley Killam, who argues that social health should be treated with the same consistency as physical or mental health.
“We need to be intentional about connection, just like we are with exercise and eating healthy foods,” Killam recently told Business Insider.
The 5-3-1 rule treats social connection as a daily health habit with simple, consistent goals. (iStock)
The 5-3-1 rule encourages social connection with three clear targets, as listed below.
5: Each week, spend time with five different people or social groups, such as friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors or acquaintances.
3: Each month, have three deeper conversations with people you trust, where interactions go beyond small talk.
1: Each day, aim for about one hour of social interaction, even if that time is spread out across shorter moments.
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The goal is to encourage regular, intentional connection.
The rule encourages intentional connection by prioritizing a weekly variety in relationships, monthly deep conversations and daily social time. (iStock)
Jess Diller Kovler, a New York-based psychologist with Well By Messer and the Cognitive Therapy Center of Manhattan, said frameworks like the 5-3-1 rule are especially relevant right now.
“We need this now, more than ever,” Kovler told Fox News Digital.
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She pointed out that many people underestimate how isolated they are, as modern communications, such as texting or social media, cannot fully substitute for face-to-face interaction.
The 5-3-1 rule may benefit people who depend heavily on texting and social media for their social interaction. (iStock)
The framework is meant to serve as a guideline, not something that needs to be followed perfectly, Kovler noted.
“Whether it’s 5-3-1 or 1-2-3 or 1-3-5 doesn’t matter. Anything beats zero-zero-zero,” she said.
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Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author of “Therapy Nation,” told Fox News Digital that building stronger social connections often starts with small, consistent steps rather than dramatic changes.
The framework is intended as a flexible guide rather than a strict formula, as experts noted that any effort toward connection is better than none. (iStock)
Alpert suggested choosing activities that create familiarity over time. “Join a class, volunteer, or show up regularly at the same gym or café. Familiarity builds comfort, and comfort builds relationships,” he said.
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The expert also encouraged people to be more proactive.
“Instead of waiting for others to reach out, send the first text. Suggest the coffee. Most people want more connection, but don’t know how to start.”
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