# How long does it take from the time one eats a food until the food is ready to leave the body? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 18, 2018, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769 "2018-03-18T07:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steven\_Estes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/1 "2018-03-18T07:51:52Z")
While, obviously, there is considerable variation owing to a number of factors, how long, on average, does it take from the time one eats a food until the food is ready to leave the body? Liquids? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/2 "2018-03-18T08:25:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Digestion time varies between individuals and between men and women. After you eat, it takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine. Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food. > > In the 1980s, Mayo Clinic researchers measured digestion time in 21 healthy people. Total transit time, from eating to elimination in stool, averaged 53 hours (although that figure is a little overstated, because the markers used by the researchers passed more slowly through the stomach than actual food). The average transit time through just the large intestine (colon) was 40 hours, with significant difference between men and women: 33 hours for men, 47 hours for women. > **[Digestion: How long does it take?](https://www.mayoclinic.org/digestive-system/expert-answers/faq-20058340)** > > Digestion takes about two to five days, depending on your system. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/3 "2018-03-18T08:36:58Z")
I believe the test is to eat some sweetcorn, await developments and inspect the results. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/4 "2018-03-18T11:14:30Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > I believe the test is to eat some sweetcorn, await developments and inspect the results. I nominate this post for the Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Euphemisms award. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/5 "2018-03-18T12:21:21Z")
Any food will have different parts which will leave at different times. Roughage like corn shells might pass right through in a matter of hours, but the inside of the kernel will have been digested and used in various parts of the body, with those atoms mostly eventually being exhaled. And some minerals in food will get incorporated into bone, and remain in the body for a decade or more. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/6 "2018-03-18T23:11:27Z")
I find it fascinating that the Mayo study found such marked differences between men and women. Any speculation about why that would be the case? Are hormones involved in the digest— … Oh. I just remembered. Period shits. The hormone causing muscular contractions in the utetus does the same for the neighboring intestines. That’s gotta account for statistical differences, as found by the Mayo Clinic, right? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2018, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/7 "2018-03-18T23:47:24Z")
Body weight might also be relevant, as well as cultural differences in diet between men and women. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/8 "2018-03-19T01:40:02Z")
When I hurt my back a few weeks ago and had a hard time getting around I went 3-4 days without taking a dump. It’s as if my digestive system knew I’d have a hard time getting up and sitting on the throne and slowed things down. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/9 "2018-03-19T02:14:09Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > When I hurt my back a few weeks ago and had a hard time getting around I went 3-4 days without taking a dump. It’s as if my digestive system knew I’d have a hard time getting up and sitting on the throne and slowed things down. Pain meds, even ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Motrin and Tylenol, respectively), can slow down digestion by slowing down the movement of the bowel. A lack of your usual level of walking around can also slow down digestion. I always recommend docusate (stool softeners) when people are taking any pain meds, plus making sure one increases fiber intake. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/10 "2018-03-19T02:28:29Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > I believe the test is to eat some sweetcorn, await developments and inspect the results. Hot foods, too: Buffalo wings, hot peppers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/11 "2018-03-19T02:31:35Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Any food will have different parts which will leave at different times. Roughage like corn shells might pass right through in a matter of hours, but the inside of the kernel will have been digested and used in various parts of the body, with those atoms mostly eventually being exhaled. And some minerals in food will get incorporated into bone, and remain in the body for a decade or more. But how is it that I chew the corn up, but yet it comes out whole? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/12 "2018-03-19T02:49:14Z")
A corn kernel is like a little bag. When you chomp down on it, you squeeze out the easily-digestible contents, but the bag is still mostly intact. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/13 "2018-03-20T00:51:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > A corn kernel is like a little bag. When you chomp down on it, you squeeze out the easily-digestible contents, but the bag is still mostly intact. Got to point out the Carol Channing [I don’t remember eating corn](https://stargayzing.com/on-carol-channing-and-other-urban-legends-including-her-recipe-for-german-pot-roast/) story; it’s an oldie! ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/14 "2018-03-20T02:07:22Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > [Digestion: How long does it take? - Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/digestive-system/expert-answers/faq-20058340) Those results really surprise me. When I eat corn for dinner, it comes out the next morning. 12 hours! Am I the intestinal equivalent of a world-class sprinter? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/15 "2018-03-20T02:16:14Z")
Apple juice - 2 hours, tops! ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/16 "2018-03-20T03:01:21Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > A corn kernel is like a little bag. When you chomp down on it, you squeeze out the easily-digestible contents, but the bag is still mostly intact. I can accept that answer, but the next time I have corn I’m chewing up and spitting it out to examine the casings.😃 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/17 "2018-03-20T04:02:01Z")
TMI warning, although this is the place for it. If I eat incompletely cooked hot peppers, my intestinal gas will smell like peppers within an hour or two. They don’t otherwise bother my GI tract. Anyone know why? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/18 "2018-03-20T13:33:55Z")
I heard that it takes three (3) days for pizza dough to eliminate from your body … ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/19 "2018-03-20T16:07:36Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I find it fascinating that the Mayo study found such marked differences between men and women. Any speculation about why that would be the case? > > Are hormones involved in the digest— … > > Oh. I just remembered. Period shits. The hormone causing muscular contractions in the utetus does the same for the neighboring intestines. That’s gotta account for statistical differences, as found by the Mayo Clinic, right? > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > Body weight might also be relevant, as well as cultural differences in diet between men and women. I too find this extraordinary. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769/20 "2018-03-20T16:29:44Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I find it fascinating that the Mayo study found such marked differences between men and women. Any speculation about why that would be the case? Maybe the extra time is taken to make sure it smells like roses. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-does-it-take-from-the-time-one-eats-a-food-until-the-food-is-ready-to-leave-the-body/810769.md?page=2)