What's your gut speed?
When you take a bite of food, it begins a 12- to 73-hour journey through your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum -- about 25 feet in all. The average transit time is 23 to 24 hours. But when the journey is too slow or too fast, it can cause discomfort and health issues.
Sluggish digestion forces bacteria in your gut to get nutrients from proteins instead of fiber (which is hung up in your small intestine). That fuels the production of toxic compounds that cause body-wide inflammation and constipation.
A quick exit of food means it hasn't spent enough time in your intestines for the needed nutrients and water to be absorbed. That can cause dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and indicate chronic conditions such as Crohn's, IBS and inflammatory bowel disease.
Want to check your gut speed? Don't eat any corn for 10 days ... then have a bit and make note of when you see its yellow shells in your feces. In less than 12 hours? That's too fast. In more than 48? Too slow.
-- If you have a consistently fast gut, ask your doctor to check for underlying GI diseases. Reduce added sugars, caffeine and spicy foods. Also, try the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
-- If it's slow, increase your intake of fresh veggies and fruit, 100% whole grains, water and caffeine; get more physical activity; consider fiber supplements; and avoid processed foods. (If constipation causes major discomfort, talk to your doc.)
For more advice on intestinal health, check out my book, "What to Eat When."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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