Stomach growling is a natural, though sometimes embarrassing, part of life. If you want to stop your stomach from growling, it may be as simple as changing your diet or reducing stress.1
Stomach growling happens when food, gas, or fluids move through your digestive tract. 234 This is usually not a cause for concern, but if it happens excessively, or you experience other gastrointestinal symptoms, let your doctor know.
Your stomach and intestines constantly move, with muscle contractions pushing food, liquids, and gas through your digestive tract.5..To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
These contractions cause the familiar gurgling and rumbling sounds, especially when your stomach is empty or digesting a meal.3
Here are some common reasons why your stomach might growl:
Hunger: When empty, your stomach releases ghrelin, the hunger hormone that signals your brain it’s time to eat. In response, your digestive muscles contract and your stomach releases digestive fluids to prepare for breaking down food. Sounds can be more noticeable because there’s no food in the stomach to soften or muffle them.67
Digestion: After you eat, your body moves food through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. You may hear rumbling or gurgling sounds as your stomach and intestines break down and absorb nutrients from the food.3
Swallowing air: Eating too quickly, talking while eating, drinking through a straw, chewing gum, or smoking can cause you to swallow air. This excess air can create noises as it moves through your digestive tract.89
Certain foods and drinks: Some foods cause more gas production than others. Beans, carbonated beverages, high-fiber foods, cruciferous vegetables, dairy products, alcoholic drinks like beer and wine, and artificial sweeteners can increase gas in your gut, leading to louder stomach noises.68
Lactose intolerance: People with lactose intolerance have difficulty digesting lactose, a natural sugar in milk and dairy products.
When lactose isn’t broken down in the small intestine, it moves into the colon (large intestine), where bacteria ferment it, producing gas. This can lead to bloating, cramping, and increased stomach growling.3
Anxiety or stress: Feeling nervous or stressed can speed up muscle contractions or make your stomach more sensitive, leading to digestive issues or increased abdominal sounds.10
Stomach growling is normal, but there are several steps you can take to reduce the sounds your digestive system makes.
Simple changes to what and how you eat may help:111213814
Eat regular meals and snacks: This will prevent an empty stomach and reduce the intensity of hunger-related noises.
Keep a food diary: Tracking what you eat and your digestive response can help you identify specific foods that trigger stomach noises. Then, you can limit or avoid these foods.
Watch your eating habits: Eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly, and try not to talk with your mouth full.
Limit gas-producing foods and beverages: Carbonated drinks, beans, lentils, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage can increase gas in your intestines, leading to more stomach growling.
Limit or avoid artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol and xylitol, are found in sugar-free gum and candies and can cause gas and bloating.
Drink plenty of water: Hydrating can help support healthy digestion.
Manage anxiety and stress: You can prevent stress-induced digestive troubles by practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing, exercising, and engaging in your favorite hobbies.
Move your body: Standing up or shifting your body position can sometimes help reduce stomach noises.15
Stomach growling is usually nothing to worry about.
If your stomach growls frequently or occurs with other symptoms, it may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention and treatment.43
Contact your healthcare provider if your stomach noises occur with the following:43
Severe or persistent abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent diarrhea or constipation
Nausea or vomiting
Blood in stool
Inability to pass gas
Related Health Conditions
Conditions that can cause excessive or frequent stomach growling, known as hyperactive bowel sounds, include:34
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause intense and frequent stomach growling, as well as abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss.16
Food intolerances: Difficulty digesting certain foods, such as with lactose intolerance, can cause gas, bloating, changes in bowel habits, and increased stomach noises.17
Gastroenteritis: A bacterial, viral, or parasitic GI infection causes intestinal inflammation, leading to diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and loud stomach noises.18
Gastrointestinal bleeding: Conditions that damage the GI tract, such as stomach ulcers, infections, IBD, and cancer, can cause bleeding in the digestive tract, which may lead to unusual or increased bowel sounds.19
Celiac disease: This chronic (long-term) autoimmune condition damages the small intestine when a person eats gluten. It can lead to bloating, diarrhea, gas, weight loss, and abnormal bowel sounds.20
Bowel obstruction: A blockage in the intestines can prevent food and liquid from passing, leading to severe abdominal pain, swelling, and abnormal bowel sounds, which may be loud or high-pitched. A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.2122