Digestion how long

Lee adds. Likewise, some people experience chest pains without having had a heart attack. Similarly, some patients feel hunger, but their stomach is not empty. Learn the factors that control how long digestion takes, along with how long it takes to digest water and other liquids.

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Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Goldman L, et al. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; Accessed Nov. Normal function. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Naish J, et al. The alimentary system. In: Medical Sciences. See also How digestion works Swallowing gum: Is it harmful?

Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Including the small and large intestines, the digestive process stretches throughout much of the body and includes these organs:.

You can't do much to speed up your digestion, nor should you try to. Sped-up digestion may stop you from absorbing all of your food's nutrients, says Taormina. It's important to remember that digestion speed and metabolism are two different things. Speeding up your metabolism to burn calories is a separate process. The only time you should try to speed up your digestion is under the doctor's advisement and guidance.

This may happen if you have irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel syndrome, says Gluckman. While you can't speed up your digestion, you can ensure your digestive tract is working smoothly by eating a healthy diet. Here are five tips to improve your digestion:. It takes food about four to six hours to digest through the body and into the large intestine, where it then sits for 36 hours as it makes its way to the rectum. Factors such as age, gender, and pregnancy can decrease this speed.

However, there is no reason for trying to speed up digestion unless instructed by a doctor. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App.