Why stomach growling does not always mean hunger

Stomach growling without hunger

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If your stomach growls, it can be mega embarrassing. But what happens with stomach growling, how can you prevent it and why does stomach growling occur without hunger? It's all here!

At the doctor's office, in the meeting, the massage or the wedding of a dear friend - my stomach has already started to growl at very inappropriate and, above all, very quiet moments. But what's the reason for that anyway?

The stomach and intestines have something to do all day long. They have to process our food pulp, break it down, extract nutrients from it and then pass the whole thing on.

And it is precisely here that the unpopular stomach growl arises, although it is perfectly normal and even healthy. If our stomach did not growl, something would be wrong. Our digestion would then not be able to function.

This means that if your stomach growls, you don't need to look to the side in embarrassment or blush. It's perfectly normal for your stomach to growl. Even if the situation is sometimes not exactly appropriate.

By the way, the belly can also make noises when we have flatulence. Because even then nothing happens other than that air is moved.

Stomach Growling

Why and how stomach growling occurs

Quiet gurgling, bubbling or really mega loud growling? Our stomach can make a lot of noises that sometimes even sound really scary.

We all have and have had a growling stomach. But it doesn't always have to be hunger. Did you know that?

1. stomach growling without hunger

Even if we don't feel it, or only rarely: our stomach and intestines rarely keep still. They move day and night. These movements transport the food pulp from the stomach to the large intestine, to the small intestine and finally to the toilet.

These are wave-like activities that are also called housekeeping. This is mega important. It's the only way our digestive tract can keep itself clean. Stomach juices and secretions join the food mush on the way out.

If the food mush is pushed on, the stomach may growl even though we are not hungry.

The movement of the food pulp is also called peristalsis. This is also the moment when stomach growling occurs despite eating. Namely, when the food pulp is pushed from A to B.

2. because there is air in the stomach

You have to imagine the stomach and intestines like a balloon. If our stomach does not receive any food for a few hours, it does not collapse, but is filled with air.

When the stomach begins to contract its walls and then slacken again, the air starts to move. It vibrates, causing stomach growls.

Stomach growling cause

3. stomach growling starts in the head

Did you know that our stomach also growls when we think about delicious food? And that even though we're not hungry? When you think of tempting foods, see them or even worse: smell them, our stomach gets ready for digestion.

The stomach and intestines are set in vibration and virtually awakened. The stomach begins to produce gastric acid. It waits in anticipation for us to give in to temptation and follow the advertising poster of the fast food restaurant.

If you now manage to think of something completely different or meditate, you can make the stomach growling disappear again or at least lower the noise level.

How you can prevent stomach growling

That the stomach growls is not unhealthy. But sometimes a little embarrassing and totally inappropriate. You would love to disappear into the ground, especially when your stomach makes loud noises. But you can prevent it in many cases.

  1. Do not talk while eating
    When you talk while eating, lots of air gets into your stomach. This air promotes stomach rumbling. So it's better to close your mouth and eat in peace.
  2. Eat regularly
    If you eat regularly, the food mush in the stomach is more viscous. If you leave very long gaps between meals, the food mush is very thin. The result: stomach grumbling.
  3. Chew well
    As the saying goes, well chewed is half digested. If you chew quietly and often, you will be doing your stomach a very big favor. It will be much easier for it to process the food. It needs less energy and has to move less to break down the food.
  4. Drink enough
    And not flatulent sparkling water, but still water or unsweetened herbal teas. That's what your stomach likes best. Sparkling water irritates many stomachs and causes them to complain with loud growling.
  5. Try not to think about food
    At the latest at half past ten in the morning your stomach starts rumbling? Then try not to think about lunch yet. Because even a single thought of food causes the activity of our stomach to increase. It is already waiting eagerly for the next bite and lets you know with stomach growling that you should hurry up.

For me, it also often works when I chew gum. That distracts the stomach for a short time. But unfortunately, this trick doesn't help for long.

By the way, stomach growling often gets louder when you are excited. So before big presentations, doctor's appointments or the like. Nervousness increases peristalsis, i.e. gastrointestinal movement. Sometimes you simply eat less because of excitement, which in turn leads to stomach growling.

Prevent belly growl

Our conclusion

Stomach grumbling is not unhealthy and is a perfectly normal phenomenon that we all have. You don't have to be ashamed of it, your stomach and intestines are just doing their job and doing it pretty well. Try to distract yourself a bit before you eat.

Stomach growling without hunger occurs because the food mush is pushed on. And stomach growling despite eating has the same cause. Because here, too, you only hear that your body is just pushing the food mush further down.

Don't let a growling stomach or intestines upset you :)

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