How long does food stay in your stomach

Nom noms go in, poop comes out… but what happens in between? Digestion is how your body turns food into fuel. On average, the process takes 24 to 72 hours, but how long it takes for your body to digest food will depend on factors like:

• what you eat
• how much you eat
• digestive issues
• metabolism
• activity levels

Here’s everything you need to know about digestion — from munching to the porcelain throne.

Even if your deuces drop like clockwork, it’s important to understand the digestive process. It’ll help you realize if something is off after you’ve eaten. Plus, who isn’t a little intrigued by human anatomy? #Science

During digestion, you break down food and absorb the nutrients you need to function. Poop is everything your body passes on.

The digestive system has five main parts:

• mouth
• esophagus
• stomach
• small intestine
• large intestine

They all work together to help food travel from your mouth to your bum.

Digestion steps

Here’s a play-by-play of the digestive system’s steps:

1. Mouth: Digestion begins in your mouth. As you chew food into smaller pieces, you start to salivate. Saliva has enzymes that start breaking down starches.
2. Esophagus: Once you swallow, your digestive system goes on autopilot. The food moves down your esophagus, and peristalsis starts. This is when involuntary muscles help push the food to its next destination.
3. Lower esophageal sphincter: This muscle is at the end of your esophagus. It relaxes to let food pass into your stomach and then tightens to prevent food from coming back up.
4. Stomach: Stomach acids go to town on food to turn it into chyme — a mushy mass of partially digested nom noms and gastric juices.
5. Small intestine: Chyme then moves into your small intestine. The walls of your small intestine start to absorb nutrients and water.
6. Large intestine: Your small intestine soaks up the good stuff, and your large intestine takes care of the waste. It absorbs water and converts all that liquid waste into a stool.
7. Rectum: This is the endgame. Your rectum stores digested food until it’s ready to make its grand debut. (💩 hi!)

Digestion time varies depending on what you eat. Some foods need different enzymes from different organs to be broken down.

A healthy gut can improve your overall physical and mental health. Here are some awesome ways to keep your digestive system on fleek:

Eat your fiber

There are two forms of fiber, soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves in H2O and turns into a gel-like substance. It’s found in foods like oats, peas, beans, lentils, and apples.

Insoluble fiber is commonly known as roughage. It helps get the food flowing through your digestive system and can improve your poops. Some examples are whole grains, nuts, and root vegetables.

Fiber can stave off constipation and irregular bowel movements. Bulky stools are easier to pass, so adding fiber to your diet can keep you regular.

Add good bacteria

Sometimes bacteria needs a little boost. That’s where probiotics come into play. Studies have found that probiotics can help with bowel disorders and improve overall intestinal health.

Probiotics are sold as dietary supplements. If pills aren’t your jam, you’re still in luck. Fermented foods also contain helpful bacteria strains. Try:

• yogurt
• kefir
• sauerkraut
• tempeh
• kimchi

Chillax

Studies suggest that stress is linked to digestive disorders, including stomach ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A relaxed mind can lead to a happy tummy.

Cut the bad habits

Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Research has shown that smoking can double the risk of developing acid reflux. It can also cause stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal cancers.

Alcohol can cause your stomach to produce more acid, which can lead to acid reflux and heartburn. Plus, studies suggest a link between alcohol and leaky gut, changes in gut bacteria, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Keep it movin’

Staying physically active can help your digestive system do its thing. In a small 2005 study, participants who added 30 minutes of walking to their day had significant improvements in chronic constipation.

Exercising can also reduce inflammation in your body, which can alleviate symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Have you ever pooped fire? If so, you’re not alone, and it might have been the dirty deed of a food you’d least suspect.

Some possible trigger foods:

• spicy foods
• artificial sweeteners
• carbonated drinks
• refined carbs (think white bread and pasta)
• alcohol
• milk or white chocolate
• foods high in saturated fats
• coffee
• greasy foods (sorry, pizza 🍕)

For most people, these foods are OK in moderation, but for some they can cause the digestive tract a lot of distress. Take note of which foods aren’t working for you.

Indigestion can really ruin your day. An occasional flare-up is nothing to worry about, but if you’re experiencing issues on the reg, call your doctor.

Types of indigestion:

• stomach cramps
• bloating
• an overly full feeling
• diarrhea or constipation
• nausea
• heartburn
• gas 💨

Here are some common culprits behind digestive issues.

Lactose intolerance

Milk and dairy products contain a sugar called lactose. To break down that sugar, your body uses an enzyme called lactase. An estimated 30 to 50 million Americans lack this enzyme.

If you feel discomfort after every ice cream cone, you might be lactose intolerant. Common symptoms include:

• gas
• stomach cramps
• bloating
• nausea
• diarrhea

Celiac disease

Gluten is a protein found in foods that contain wheat, rye, and barley. For people with celiac disease, gluten creates an autoimmune reaction: The body identifies gluten as a foreign object and attacks it as soon as it gets to the small intestine.

Symptoms typically include:

• fatigue
• abdominal bloating and pain
• diarrhea
• unusually bad-smelling stool
• fatty-looking stool
• unexplained weight loss

Acid reflux

Acid reflux happens when your lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly. This allows stomach acid to make its way up your esophagus. Ouch!

If you’re experiencing acid reflux more than twice per week, you may be dealing with gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). About 20 percent of Americans are affected by GERD.

Certain foods can trigger GERD, including:

• fatty foods
• spicy foods
• acidic foods (such as tomatoes)
• citrus fruits
• chocolate

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Just like the name says, this condition really irritates your bowels. Around 3 to 20 percent of Americans have some form of IBS. The condition is more common in people with vaginas.

Symptoms include:

• cramping
• abdominal pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• bloating and gas

There’s no cure for IBS, but dietary and physical changes can help you manage the symptoms.

The digestive process is complex, but your body does most of the work for you! You can do your duty to your doody to help keep your digestion healthy. That means choosing the right foods and listening to your body’s needs.

All right, time to go! Both figuratively and literally. 👋🏻🚽

Digestion is a process where the body breaks down food into smaller particles to absorb them into the bloodstream.

Complete digestion of food takes anywhere between 24 to 72 hours and depends on several factors, including the type of food eaten and the presence of digestive issues.

This article looks at the digestive process and potential digestive problems and recommends ways to improve digestion.

In many cases, the food moves through the stomach and small intestine within 6 to 8 hours. It then passes to the large intestine (colon).

However, the exact time varies and depends on factors such as:

• Amount and type of food eaten: Protein-rich foods and fatty foods, such as meat and fish, can take longer to digest than high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Sweets, such as candy, crackers, and pastries, are among the fastest foods digested.
• Gender: A 1980s study found that the transit time through the large intestine alone was 47 hours for women and just 33 hours for men.
• The presence of digestive issues: Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome are some of the conditions that may slow down digestion.

Once food reaches the large intestine, it may remain there for up to a day or more as it undergoes further breakdown.

It’s a commonly held belief that digestion only takes place in the stomach. In fact, there are three separate stages of digestion:

Oral stage of digestion

Chewing food breaks it down into smaller particles and mixes them with saliva. An enzyme present in saliva, called amylase, acts on carbohydrates in the food to break them down. The food particles can then form a soft mass that’s easy to swallow, known as a bolus.

Gastric stage of digestion

In the stomach, an enzyme called pepsin helps to break down proteins into smaller particles. Stomach acid also plays an important role in preventing food-borne illness as it kills any bacteria or viruses that may have been present in the food.

Intestinal stage of digestion

Nutrients and water that have been removed from the digested food pass through the walls of the small intestine. They enter the bloodstream and travel to various areas of the body where they are used to repair and build.

The unabsorbed and undigested food that remains then moves to the large intestine. Here, some more nutrients and water are absorbed. The remainder is stored in the rectum until it leaves the body through a bowel movement.

To enjoy a healthy digestive system and to prevent constipation and diarrhea, try the following:

Eat a balanced diet

Share on PinterestPlant foods that are sources of fibre, including apples, legumes, and whole grains, may aid healthy digestion.

Fiber-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, help move food through the digestive system more rapidly. They also help prevent constipation, feed gut bacteria, and help with weight loss.

Meat, particularly red meat, is hard to digest so should be eaten sparingly.

Processed and fast foods are often high in fat, making them difficult to digest. They are also rich in sugar, which may upset the balance of bacteria in the gut.

These types of food also contain additives that can cause stomach upset in some people and contribute to poor health.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water and other liquids, such as teas and juices, can prevent constipation and keep food moving through the digestive system.

Take probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help restore the balance of bacteria in the body by reducing the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. The following foods are rich in probiotics:

• natural yogurt
• kefir
• sauerkraut
• kimchi
• miso
• fermented vegetables

Probiotics are also available in supplement form.

Make sure to include fiber-rich and prebiotic-rich foods to feed the probiotics you ingest as well as the healthy bacteria already in your colon.

Regular physical activity

Engaging in daily exercise benefits the digestive tract, as well as the rest of the body. Some people find that a gentle walk after meals reduces bloating, gas, and constipation.

Stress management

Being stressed can slow down digestion and contribute to symptoms such as heartburn, cramping and bloating. To reduce stress levels, engage in meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga. Even a few simple deep breaths before you eat can help. It is also important to get enough sleep every night to reduce stress and aid digestion.

Dental hygiene

As digestion begins with chewing in the mouth, problems with the teeth can interfere with this important step. Older adults, in particular, can be affected by improper chewing techniques due to dental issues. Brush and floss the teeth daily, and visit a dentist regularly.

Digestive enzymes

People with low stomach acid, chronic stress, digestive diseases and other conditions may benefit from taking supplements containing digestive enzymes. While these are freely available from health stores, it can be helpful to discuss enzyme supplementation with a doctor first.

Manage digestive conditions

Several medical conditions can cause problems with digestion. People with these conditions should always work with their doctor to manage their symptoms and reduce digestive distress.

Share on PinterestSuffering from gastro‐esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may affect digestion. If digestive problems are persistent, a doctor should be consulted.

Possible digestive problems include:

These conditions can cause issues with digestion, and contribute to symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Those who regularly experience symptoms of poor digestion, such as gas, bloating, constipation, heartburn, or diarrhea, should see a doctor who can rule out any serious conditions.

If anyone experiences any of the following symptoms, they should see a doctor immediately:

• rectal bleeding
• significant weight loss
• fever
• persistent vomiting
• feelings of food blockages in the food pipe

Digestive symptoms that get progressively worse or change abruptly also require medical attention.

The time it takes to digest food varies between 24 and 72 hours and depends on several factors. To enjoy optimal digestion, eat a balanced, high-fiber diet, engage in regular exercise, reduce stress, and manage any digestive conditions that may be present.

If symptoms of digestive distress are severe, persistent, or change over time, it is important to see a doctor.