About George Rapitis, BSc. Nutritionist Expertise I have an MS. in Dietetics and Nutrition. I also have a degree in Culinary Arts. I would be happy to answer any questions about nutrition, healthy cooking or physical fitness. I recently completed a book called "The Lighter Side of Dark Chocolate: Take it To Heart" available at www.planetyorgos.com
I am currently helping patients with their weight loss goals but recommending them to "Take Shape for Life" Take Shape For Life provides a safe and effective way for you to live and stay healthy:
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Experience I have also authored other books such as "Ask the Nutritionists" ,"The Healthy Pregnancy Cookbook: Eating Twice As Well for a Healthy Pregnancy." My work experience includes nutritional counseling and healthy cooking classes. I am a member of the American Dietetic Association.
Expert: George Rapitis, BSc. Nutritionist - 7/9/2009
Question I was wondering would you please tell me: why does our stomachs growl?
Thanks
Answer Hello Cameron!
Stomach growling, which originates in the stomach and the small intestine, can be explained by a closer look at how the digestive system functions.
Your stomach and small intestine (seen here through a stylized x-ray image) are the sources of all that growling. The digestive system is, in essence, 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. One of the most important things to know about the digestive system is the manner in which it propels food. Waves of muscle contractions move and push the contents continually downward in a process called peristalsis. In addition to moving your meal along its digestive path, these contractions also help churn food, liquid and different digestive juices together, rendering them into a gooey mix known as chyme.
Stomach growling is the result of this process. Moving with those solid and liquid chyme ingredients are gasses and air. As all these ingredients get pushed around and broken down into easy-to-absorb bits, pockets of air and gas also get squeezed and create the noises we hear. Stomach growling can happen at any time -- not just when you're hungry -- but if there's food in your stomach or small intestine, the growling becomes quieter. It's like putting a pair of sneakers in the dryer by themselves versus with a load of towels. The towels muffle the noise of the shoes as they bounce around.
But you may be wondering -- if your stomach is empty, why are the muscle contractions that digest food happening to begin with? 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. Two results occur: First, the contractions sweep up any remaining food that was missed the first time around. Second, 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. Learn more about the twists and turns your food takes after your first bite by reading How the Digestive System Works.
So now that we know what causes stomach growling, is there any way to control it? One tip to mute a noisy belly is to eat many small meals instead of a few large ones. Your digestive system will have less opportunity to create those peristalsis rumbles if your body has something tasty in it. Also, eating less gaseous foods may help decrease the growling.
-For more answers go to www.planetyorgos.com
George Rapitis MS
www.juiceblend.com
www.eatrightbygeorge.com
