In this episode of “Ok Now You Know,” Joe Garner demystifies the common yet often misunderstood phenomenon of stomach growling, also known as borborygmi. Ever wondered what’s really happening inside your body when your stomach growls? Joe breaks down the science behind these noises and sheds light on what they signify about your digestive system.
Joe explains that stomach growling is the sound of gas moving through your intestines and the contractions of your stomach as it processes food. The gastrointestinal tract is continuously in motion through peristalsis, which propels food, fluids, and gas through the digestive system. Even when empty, the digestive muscles continue their motions, causing the recognizable rumblings. Joe also dives into how the brain-gut connection signals your stomach to prepare for food, which can amplify these growling sounds, especially when you see or smell something appetizing.
While normal stomach growling is a common part of digestion, Joe warns that excessive growling accompanied by pain, bloating, or changes in bathroom habits could indicate underlying digestive issues that may require medical attention. The episode concludes by reinforcing the importance of listening to our bodies and recognizing the signals they give us.
Welcome to OK Now You Know, I'm Joe Garner. Today we're delving into a common, but often misunderstood, occurrence, stomach growling. Ever wondered what's really happening inside your body when your stomach decides to make itself heard? Let's uncover the science behind the growls. Stomach growling, technically known as borba rigmay, happens to everyone. Despite the common belief, it doesn't always mean you're hungry. This noise is actually the sound of gas moving through your intestines and your stomach contracting as it digests food. Let's break it down. Your gastrointestinal tract is a long, continuous tube running from your mouth to your anus, and it's always in motion. These motions, called peristalsis, help propel food, fluids and gas through the digestive system. This occurs about every two hours as a sort of cleaning wave to clear out your stomach and prepare for its next meal. When your stomach is full, the food absorbs and muffles these sounds. But an empty stomach means these noises, gas and air being squeezed through your intestines have the space to echo. Which is why your stomach growls louder when it's empty. It's essentially your digestive muscles doing their job, whether there's food to process or not. Another factor is the brain gut connection. When you haven't eaten for a while, your brain sends signals to your stomach to prepare for food, restarting the peristaltic waves. This anticipation can also trigger more intense stomach growling, especially if you see or smell something delicious. But why does it seem to growl at the worst possible times? Well, it's partly due to your body's natural rhythms, and partly because you're more likely to notice these sounds when you're in a quiet environment, like during a meeting or in a classroom. While typically harmless, excessive stomach growling can sometimes be a sign of digestive issues, such as food intolerance, infections, or imbalances in your gut bacteria. If your stomach is speaking up more often than seems normal, or it's accompanied by pain, bloating, or changes in your bathroom habits, it might be worth talking to a health care provider. Okay, now you know what's really going on when your stomach growls. It's a normal, natural part of digestion, signaling that your body's digestive tract is active and ready to handle whatever comes next. I'm Joe Garner. Until next time, listen to your body. It's always telling you something interesting. (gentle music)
