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.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

June 07, 2025 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Abdominal pain
  2. Acupuncture
  3. Belching, intestinal gas, gas pains and bloating
  4. Stress and your health
  5. Cognitive behavioral therapy
  6. CT scan
  7. Exercise benefits
  8. Gas and gas pains
  9. Hypnosis
  10. Indigestion
  11. Nausea and vomiting
  12. Swallowing gum: Is it harmful?
  13. Upper endoscopy
  14. Endoscopy
  15. X-ray