India, April 18 -- Are you chewing gum as a stress buster, to freshen up your mouth, or as a way to stop overeating? Whatever the reason is, it is a common habit. One of the fears that people often have includes accidentally swallowing it and the resulting assumption that it gets stuck in your stomach for a long time, creating a situation where you panic.ALSO READ: IBS vs IBD: Gastroenterologist shares the main differences between the two common gut conditions

So, we asked gastroenterologist Dr Vishal Seth at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Pune to spill the truth, clarifying all the doubts.

"Since childhood, everyone is made to believe that swallowing chewing gum will stay in the stomach for years. This belief has been passed down for gener...