From Food To Poo: How Long Does Digestion Take? - Greatist

Maybe your like

Greatist

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process

How Long Does It Take to Digest Food and Poop It Out? A Complete Guide

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Lauren Armstrong, RDN — Updated on August 6, 2024

How digestion works
How long it takes
Digestion tips
Digestive issues
The bottom line

For most folks, it takes a day or two for meals to go from plate of food to number two. But it can depend on what and how much you eat, along with other personal factors.

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.

Digestion 101

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:

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.
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.
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.
Stomach: Stomach acids go to town on food to turn it into chyme — a mushy mass of partially digested nom noms and gastric juices.
Small intestine: Chyme then moves into your small intestine. The walls of your small intestine start to absorb nutrients and water.
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.
Rectum: This is the endgame. Your rectum stores digested food until it’s ready to make its grand debut. (💩 hi!)

How long is this gonna take?

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

Food type	Typical nutrient absorption time	What happens
meat	1 to 3 days	Protein is made of amino acids. It takes time to be broken down and absorbed.
dairy	30 minutes to 2 hours	Enzymes in your stomach break down fat and protein. It then travels to your small intestine to be broken down further.
vegetables and fruit	usually less than 1 day	Starchy vegetables (like corn and potatoes) may take longer to digest than vegetables with a higher water content (like cucumber and peppers). Cooked vegetables usually don’t take as long to digest because the cooking process breaks down fibers.
carbs	15 minutes to 3 hours	Breakfast cereals, cookies, pretzels, and cakes are absorbed quickly. Whole-grain foods take more time because of their high fiber content.

Top tips for healthy digestion

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.

3 Yoga Poses for Digestion

Avoid trigger foods

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.

Digestive issues

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.

We need a bathroom break

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. 👋🏻🚽

13 sourcescollapsed

Bilski J, et al. (2014). The role of physical exercise in inflammatory bowel disease. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2014%2F429031
Celiac disease. (2019).https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/celiac-disease
Definition & facts for GER & GERD. (2014).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/definition-facts
De Schryver AM, et al. (2005). Effects of regular physical activity on defecation pattern in middle-aged patients complaining of chronic constipation. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00365520510011641
Engen PA, et al. (2015). The gastrointestinal microbiome: Alcohol effects on the composition of intestinal microbiota.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590619/
Fiber. (n.d.).https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/fiber/
Grundmann O, et al. (2010). Irritable bowel syndrome: Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment: An update for health-care practitioners. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06120.x
Kechagia M, et al. (2013). Health benefits of probiotics: A review. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.5402%2F2013%2F481651
Lunney P, et al. (2015). Smoking prevalence and its influence on disease course and surgery in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13239
Patel K, et al. (2020). Physiology, peristalsis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556137/
Problems digesting dairy products? (2009).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/problems-digesting-dairy-products
Qin H-Y, et al. (2014). Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome. DOI:https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v20/i39/14126.htm
Your digestive system & how it works. (2017).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works

FEEDBACK:

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Lauren Armstrong, RDN — Updated on August 6, 2024

Wellness

Health Conditions

Food

Recipes

Fitness

Workouts

Product Reviews

Series

How-To

The Greatist Community

About Greatist