Contents:
- Medical Video: Here's What Happens In Your Body When You Swallow Gum | The Human Body
- "Chewing gum cannot be digested by the intestine"
- "Avoid high-fiber foods when diarrhea"
- "Eating lots of nuts makes flatulence"
- "Lifting heavy foam objects causes hernias"
- "The more fiber consumption, the better for the body"
Medical Video: Here's What Happens In Your Body When You Swallow Gum | The Human Body
You must know everything you eat will be digested in the body. The digestive system in the body plays a role in storing food, breaking it down into smaller molecules, absorbing these molecules into the bloodstream, and cleansing the body of the remaining digestion of the food you eat by going through the anus.
However, do you know if there are several myths and misconceptions about the digestive system? Here are some of them.
"Chewing gum cannot be digested by the intestine"
Even though gum is not to be swallowed, however, sometimes you might accidentally swallow gum. Funny thing is, the form of sticky gum often makes people assume that the gum that is swallowed will not be digested in the body. Or it takes years to finally get out. But, is that correct?
In fact, even though the stomach cannot break gum like it does in other foods, the digestive system has other ways to digest it through intestinal activity. The intestine will continue to move gum so it makes it pass through the intestine, and out of the end of the digestive system.
"Avoid high-fiber foods when diarrhea"
Fiber consumption is often used as a solution to overcome constipation or difficult bowel movements. So it's natural if many consider that if high-fiber foods launch a bowel movement, this should be avoided when you are diarrhea. But apparently, fiber can also help overcome diarrhea, by absorbing excess fluid in the intestine and making feces more dense.
"Eating lots of nuts makes flatulence"
Beans are known as one of the gas-producing foods that make flatulence. This is because beans have high raffinose content and contain soluble fiber.
However, peanuts are not the most gas producer. Dairy products actually cause more gas than other foods because of the lactose content in them. The content of lactose in milk can make it difficult for the digestive system to process it, if your body does not have enough lactase enzymes.
"Lifting heavy foam objects causes hernias"
You may often hear the story that hernias usually occur in people who lift heavy objects too often. That is a myth. Most hernias actually result from muscle weakness that has occurred long before the symptoms of the hernia appear.
Some other factors that can weaken muscles are increasing age, injury, and surgical incisions. Lifting heavy objects is not the cause of hernias, but a factor that can aggravate existing hernias.
"The more fiber consumption, the better for the body"
The American Dietetic Association have recommended that adults should ideally consume about 25 to 35 grams of fiber every day, or about five cups of fruit or vegetables a day. Fiber is indeed needed by the body to improve digestive function, prevent constipation, overcome diarrhea, and slow the absorption of sugar and carbohydrates.
But did you know if excessive fiber consumption can actually cause problems for the body? Apparently, consuming excess fiber can actually make certain minerals and nutrients not have enough time to be absorbed into the body's system. As a result, excessive fiber consumption can cause flatulence and stomach cramps.
