It takes 2~3 hours for food to reach the intestines and it is excreted in about 18~28 hours.
Food first enters the stomach from the esophagus, stays in the stomach for about 2~3 hours, then enters the small intestine, where it is digested and absorbed, and this process takes about 4~5 hours. After being absorbed in the small intestine, the food residue enters the colon, where it stays for about 12 hours, and then is excreted.
However, there are some special cases, if the food is easier to digest, the retention time in the stomach and intestines may be slightly shorter, if the food is more difficult to digest, the retention time in the stomach and intestines will be longer.
In addition, if there are some special diseases, such as diarrhea, the food can not be fully digested and absorbed, the time of discharge will be shorter, if there is functional dyspepsia, constipation, etc., the time of retention of food in the intestinal tract will also be longer.
Each person’s physical condition is different, the time of food retention in the intestinal tract is also different, if there are uncomfortable symptoms, it is recommended to consult a doctor in a timely manner.