© DeanDrobot/iStock/Getty ImagesNope, it doesn’t hang in your stomach for seven years.

Still terrified every time chewing gum accidentally finds itself traveling down your throat? Don’t be: Mom’s old claim that the not-for-swallowing candy sits in your stomach for seven years couldn’t be further from the truth.

Your body actually can break down some of the ingredients in gum—like sweeteners and flavoring. “The rest gets passed through your digestive system,” says Gerry Mullin, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and author of The Gut Balance Revolution: Boost Your Metabolism, Restore Your Inner Ecology and Lose the Weight for Good! What your body can’t digest: the gum base, says Nancy McGreal, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Duke Medicine. It’s insoluble—just like seeds or the skins of fruits—so your body doesn’t break it down.

But unlike how wads of bubblegum stick to the sidewalk or your sneakers, you don’t need to stress about gum stuck to the sides of your stomach or intestinal track, says Mullin. It might take gum a little bit longer to make its way through your bod with the rest of your meals, but it usually passes through smoothly until it’s excreted. In fact, McGreal says that in all of the procedures she’s done, she’s never seen the sticky stuff hanging out in someone’s gut. (See, Mom!)  

When could swallowing gum be a problem? If you have a condition like Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis that causes a narrowing in your gut, undigested materials (ahem, that piece of Wrigley’s) could potentially pose a risk, as they're passing through a very tight area, says Mullin. In rare cases, gum could plug up your intestines, which can lead to cramping,constipation, and other unwanted tummy troubles.

Otherwise, you’d have to be obsessively swallowing the stuff to see an issue. One study on the topic from 1998 found that kids regularly eating five to seven pieces of the candy a day were—not surprisingly—experiencing blockages and constipation.

The bottom line: You don’t have to toss your breath-saving packages from your purse—and you likely don’t have to worry about a lost wad every now and then.

In fact, beyond the worrisome old wives’ tale, gum could be downright beneficial for your health, says Mullin. Because chewing activates your salivary glands—and saliva can help neutralize acid—a gum habit can help ease heartburn and promote good digestion, he says.

Research has also shown that chewing gum can help you concentrate; and contrary to what your dentist will tell you, chewing it for just 10 minutes a day could remove about 100 million bacteria from your mouth—an amount similar to flossing, experts say. Just make sure it’s sugar-free!