This week’s Ask a Scientist is an age-old question. It’s been discussed for years but no one seems to have a definitive answer. Is it an old wives’ tale or the truth? Our experts answer the question:

“Does gum really stay in my stomach for 7 years?” ~ Cameron, age 9, Toronto, ON.

Click here to see the answer from Dr. Nicola Jones, a scientist in the Cell Biology program at the SickKids Research Institute and a staff Gastroenterologist at The Hospital for Sick Children.

The scientists at SickKids are experts in most areas of health and life science. They spend their days asking tough questions and searching out the answers. Now it is your turn to ask them the tough questions.

Have you ever had a burning question about your body or about your health and didn’t know how to find the answer? This might just be the opportunity to get to the bottom of it!

You have the chance to submit your question and it will be passed to a scientist who specializes in that area. The best questions and answers will be featured on the Research Institute website: http://www.sickkids.ca/research.

Check the website often to see if your question gets posted. You can learn about what others want to know and if you read enough answers, you may even become a health expert yourself!