Why do our stomachs growl?
Stomach growling can be explained by a closer look at
how the digestive system functions. The digestive system is essentially a long
tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. This tube connects with the various organs and passages that play
important roles in digestion. The digestive system moves food through
peristalsis. This process can be defined as waves of muscle contractions that
move and push the contents continually downward. In addition to moving your
meal along its digestive path, these contractions also help churn food, liquid
and different digestive juices together. Stomach growling is a result of this
process. Most people believe that when your stomach growls it means you’re
hungry, however this is not the case. It just so happens that growling can
occur at any time but it just becomes quieter when there’s food in your stomach
or small intestine. If this is so, then why are the muscle contractions that
digest food happening if your stomach is empty? The reason has to do with
hunger and appetite. About two hours after your stomach empties itself, it
begins to produce hormones that stimulate local nerves to send a message to the brain. The brain replies by signaling for the digestive muscles to restart
the process of peristalsis. First, the contractions sweep up any remaining food
that was missed the first time around and then the vibrations of an empty
stomach make you hungry. Muscle contractions will come and go about every hour,
generally lasting 10 to 20 minutes, until you eat again. However if you are
experiencing excessive grumbling it may be a sign of an upset stomach
Fun fact:
The technical name for the noises made by a
grumbling stomach is borborygmi.
The term comes from the Greek word borborugmos,
an example of onomatopoeia. Borborygmi illustrates what stomach growling might
sound like in word form.
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