On average, food takes 6 to 8 hours to pass from the stomach and small intestine to the large intestine. From there, it may take over a day to digest further. In many cases, the food moves through the stomach and small intestine within 6 to 8 hours. It then passes to the large intestine (colon).
However, the exact time varies and depends on factors such as:
Amount and type of food eaten: Protein-rich foods and fatty foods, such as meat and fish, can take longer to digest than high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Sweets, such as candy, crackers, and pastries, are among the fastest foods digested.
Gender: A 1980s study found that the transit time through the large intestine alone was 47 hours for women and just 33 hours for men.
The presence of digestive issues: Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome are some of the conditions that may slow down digestion.