The overlooked gut function that’s critical to your health

Your gut does so much more than digest food.

It plays a critical role in nutrient absorption, immune function, and even hormone regulation.

But there’s one aspect of gut health that often gets overlooked…

Even though it can have a HUGE impact on your overall health.

The journey through your gut

I’m talking about gut transit time. Or, how quickly food moves through your system.

Of course, with the rise of GLP-1 medications, this is finally gaining some attention. (These drugs slow your digestion dramatically, which is one reason they’re so effective at controlling hunger.)

But understanding the speed at which food moves through your digestive tract—naturally—is crucial. So, let’s break it down.

Once you swallow your food, it embarks on a winding journey through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Along the way:

• Your mouth releases enzymes to begin breaking down food
• Your stomach churns and mixes food with acid to further digest nutrients
• Your small intestine absorbs most of those nutrients
• Your large intestine reabsorbs water and salts, preparing waste for elimination

All of this movement is referred to as gut motility. And it’s influenced by the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract. (These microbes stimulate intestinal nerves, which contract your intestines and keep everything moving.)

Gut transit time varies widely, but the average is around 23 to 24 hours.

So, what happens when your gut transit time is too fast… or too slow?

Signs your gut is out of sync

If your gut transit time is too slow, food can get stuck in the small intestine, causing symptoms like bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain.

In some instances, this can lead to small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)—a condition linked to chronic digestive issues.

On the other hand, if food moves too quickly, your body may not have enough time to absorb key nutrients. As a result, you may experience loose stools, dehydration, and even vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and anxiety can contribute to a fast exit.

To better understand your gut transit time, consider trying “the sweetcorn test.” It’s a simple way to see how quickly food is passing through your GI tract in the comfort of your own home.

Simply eat some corn and note the date and time. Then wait. Since the outer shell of the corn is indigestible, it will be visible in your stool.

If you pass the corn in 12 hours or less, your gut transit time is fast. If it takes 48 hours or more, your gut motility is slow.

Fortunately, there are many ways to optimize your gut health—regardless of its motility.

And I outlined some of those simple, yet comprehensive tips in the March and April 2019 issues of my monthly newsletter, Logical Health Alternatives.

• Click here to access part one (“EXCLUSIVE: Your ultimate guide to a complete microbiome makeover”).
• Click here to access part two (“Building the perfect microbiome: Better gut health goes beyond probiotics”).

Source:

“How fast is your gut? The answer to this question is important to your health.” Medical Xpress, 02/09/2025. (medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-fast-gut-important-health.html)