Answer to Question 1
Flatulence, or excess production of gas, occurs when food is not completely digested in the GI tract. As a result, undigested material makes its way into the large intestine where bacteria begin to break it down. In the process, a variety of gases are produced that must be expelled from the body. The most common gases produced are methane and hydrogen sulfide, which are the sources of the unpleasant odor associated with flatulence.
Answer to Question 2
Many people believe that when gum is swallowed, it stays in the stomach for many years. However, this is incorrect. The ingredients in gum include sweeteners, corn syrup, softeners, flavors, and gum base. All of these ingredients, with the exception of the gum base, dissolve in your mouth when the gum is chewed. If gum is swallowed, it passes through the GI tract and is eliminated in the feces within a few days. The same is true for watermelon seeds as well.
