“Don’t swallow your gum! It’ll take seven years to digest it!” If you chew gum, chances are you’ve been told that it’s dangerous to swallow it. You’ve probably even heard horror stories about giant wads of chewing gum hanging around in your gut for as many as seven years. Where this bit of folk wisdom originated is unclear, but the good news is that chewing gum won’t remain in your system for seven years, and likely not even seven days, if you swallow it. Nor will it stick to your insides. In fact, you’ll probably be rid of it in a day or two.