How long does it take to digest food — from the time you eat it to the time you excrete it?
Digestion time varies for each individual. It also depends on what kind of food and how much food you've eaten. When you eat, digestive fluids and movement in the stomach break down the food into a semifluid called chyme. The stomach gradually empties chyme into the small intestine.
More digestive fluids in the small intestine break down the food into the nutrients your body can use. The small intestine absorbs nutrients to circulate in your blood. On average, it takes about six hours for food to move through the stomach and small intestine.
The digested food then travels into the large intestine, also called the colon. The contents at this point are mostly waste. The colon absorbs water and minerals. The waste dries out as it moves through the colon. On average, this may take up to 36 to 48 hours. The waste exits through the rectum and anus as stool.
Show References
- Your digestive system and how it works. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works. Accessed May 19, 2025.
- Naish J, et al., eds. The alimentary system. In: Medical Sciences. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2025. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 19, 2025.
- Goldman L, et al., eds. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 19, 2025.
- Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 19, 2025.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/expert-answers/digestive-system/faq-20058340