The process of digestion starts from the moment when food enters your body until it converted into nutrients and gives your body energy that helps in your growth. You probably don’t think about digestion all that much when your gut is functioning well. But if there is something wrong, you must question to yourself what the problem is? and how can you improve it. Digestion is a complex process let’s have a look how does it work? And how long does it take for food to digest?
How long does it take for food to be digested?
Food takes from hours to days to be fully digested. Because there are several processes involved in digestion process, which entails moving food from your mouth to your digestive system, this time range is so wide. Food typically remains in the stomach for 40 minutes to two hours. After that, it stays in the small intestine for about five hours_and then it travels through the large intestine which relatively long time ranges between 10 to 60 hours.
How food is digested?
Digestion is a multi-step process. Chemical and mechanical digestions are the two processes your body uses to break down foods. The main goal of digestion is to mechanical and chemical breakdown of food to extract nutrients for energy and bodily functions.
Mechanical Digestion: It begins in mouth with chewing which progresses to the stomach’s churning and the small intestine’s segmentation. Another part of mechanical digestion is peristalsis.
Chemical Digestion: This involves the secretions of enzymes throughout your digestive tract from the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and along the lining of the small intestines. These enzymes break the food particles into small, digestible parts.
Now let’s have a look on the factors that affects digestion time:
Factors that influence how long it takes for food to digest:
The span of time food remains in your stomach before moving into your small intestine is referred to as “gastric emptying time”. The several factors effects how long it takes to empty your stomach:
Type of Food: As compared to simple carbs, foods rich in fiber, fat, or protein may take longer to digest.
Quantity of Food: Amount of food that you’re having is very important. Over eating is harmful sometimes so eat food that your stomach can easily digest.
Your Metabolism: Every person has a different metabolism, which influences how fast or slowly food moves through the digestive system.
Digestive Health: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or gastro-paresis can have impact on digestion and transit time.
Physical Activity: Physical activities like exercise and walk after eating can help in smooth digestion.
Tips to improve digestion:
By applying these simple tips in your daily routine may simply affect your gut health and improve digestion
Well chewing of food: Chew your food thoroughly. It will help your stomach and small intestine functioning.
Consume smaller meal: Have small amount of meal can also facilitate the food’s faster passing through the rest of your digestive system. Your stomach can easily break small food. It will helps you to keep your stomach healthy.
Exercise: Moderate exercise is beneficial for health. Also exercise help in the movement of your digestive tract.
To Conclude:
The time it take for the food to be digested varies greatly on multiple factors, including the type of food you eat, a size of your meal, a person’s metabolism, and overall digestive health. It’s essential to listen to your body’s cues and lead a balanced diet and lifestyle to promote healthy digestion. By controlling your meal size, eating less junk food and having plenty of water can help your body to digest food at faster rate. Good physical activities like exercise along with a walk are also helpful.
