How long is the small intestine?
The small intestine is about 20 feet long.
How many bacteria live in the gut?
The gut is home to trillions of bacteria, known as the gut microbiome.
Where is most serotonin made?
Most of the body's serotonin is made in the gut.
Why is the gut called the second brain?
The gut has its own nervous system with about 500 million neurons, which is why it's called the "second brain."
Why doesn't stomach acid destroy the stomach?
The stomach lining is constantly replaced to protect it from its own acid.
How acidic is stomach acid?
Stomach acid has a pH of about 1 to 2.
What is a growling stomach called?
The scientific term for stomach growling is "borborygmi."
Does the appendix have a purpose?
The appendix may store helpful gut bacteria.
How long does food take to pass through the body?
Food takes about 24 to 72 hours to move through the digestive tract.
Who studied digestion through a hole in a man's stomach?
Doctor William Beaumont studied digestion through a permanent hole in patient Alexis St. Martin's stomach in the 1820s.