What causes that growling sound in your stomach, even when you're not hungry

Your body produces a variety of sounds, the creak of joints, the occasional hiccup, and the unmistakable growl of your stomach. Though often embarrassing, that familiar rumbling is a completely natural part of digestion. The sound, medically known as borborygmus, occurs when gas and fluids move through your stomach and intestines as muscles contract to aid digestion. Whether you’ve just eaten or haven’t had a meal in hours, these growls are your body’s way of communicating what’s going on inside your digestive system. From post-meal gurgles to hunger pangs, stomach noises are simply signs that your gut is active, healthy, and working hard to keep things moving smoothly.




Understanding Borborygmus: Why your stomach makes sounds during digestion

That rumbling sound coming from your abdomen has a medical name, borborygmus. It happens when gas and fluids move through your digestive tract as part of a process called peristalsis, the rhythmic contraction of smooth muscles that pushes food through your intestines.

Video

Think of it as your body’s internal washing machine, mixing food, liquids, and even swallowed air as they move along. When these elements interact, you hear that familiar gurgling or growling noise.

Interestingly, these sounds don’t always depend on hunger. They can occur after eating, during digestion, or even when you’re nervous or stressed. According to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology–Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, stress can alter gut motility and stimulate intestinal contractions, which may explain why anxiety or tension sometimes make your stomach rumble more.




The post-meal gurgle: Digestion

If your stomach growls after a meal, it’s a good sign your digestive system is doing its job. Once food reaches your stomach and small intestine, peristaltic waves help churn and push it forward, mixing it with digestive juices.

This process produces natural noises as gases and liquids move around. You may notice it more after larger meals or when you’ve eaten quickly, swallowing more air in the process.

To reduce post-meal noises, try eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, and avoiding carbonated drinks that increase gas build-up.




The hunger factor: Why your stomach growls when you haven’t eaten

When your stomach is empty, it still produces digestive contractions, but now, there’s no food to muffle the sound. This is when your brain and gut work together.

When you smell or think about food, your brain releases ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Ghrelin stimulates your stomach and intestines to contract, preparing your digestive tract for the next meal. The result? Audible growling that signals it’s time to eat.

Certain foods, such as beans, lentils, cabbage, and cauliflower, can also make your stomach noisier because they produce gas or take longer to digest. Artificial sweeteners found in diet drinks and sugar-free gum can have a similar effect.

If you experience frequent gurgling or bloating after eating specific foods, keeping a food diary can help identify triggers. Lactose intolerance, for example, is a common cause of digestive noise and discomfort after dairy consumption.



Why does my stomach growl at night

Hearing your stomach at night can feel louder, not necessarily because your body is doing anything unusual, but because your environment is quieter.

Still, nighttime growling may indicate one of two things:

• You’re hungry: If your last meal was small or low in protein, you may digest it quickly and feel hungry again before bed.
• You’ve eaten too much: A heavy, fatty, or late-night meal can cause your stomach to stay active longer, producing more sounds as it digests.

To reduce nighttime stomach noise, eat dinner at least 2–3 hours before bed, avoid excessive alcohol, and include protein or complex carbohydrates for longer-lasting fullness.



When stomach growling is nothing to worry about

Most of the time, stomach growling is completely normal. It’s just your digestive system doing what it’s designed to do.

However, you should speak with a doctor if you notice:

• Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
• Bloating or excessive gas
• Changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea)
• Blood in stools or unexplained weight loss

These could signal an underlying digestive condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerances, or an intestinal obstruction.



What if my stomach growls too loudly

Sometimes, those gurgles can sound louder than usual, especially after drinking fizzy drinks or eating gas-producing foods.

Loud bowel sounds alone are rarely dangerous, but if they’re accompanied by symptoms like pain, diarrhoea, or nausea, it’s best to get checked.



How to reduce stomach growling

You can’t completely stop your digestive system from making noise, but these tips can help minimise it:

• Eat slowly and chew with your mouth closed to reduce swallowed air.
• Avoid carbonated drinks and sugar-free products containing artificial sweeteners.
• Stay hydrated, sipping water throughout the day to aid digestion.
• Walk gently after meals; light movement encourages smooth digestion.
• Manage stress with relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
• Avoid excessive alcohol and heavy, late-night meals.
• Quit smoking, which can introduce excess air into the digestive tract.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.



Also read | Why your thyroid could be causing unexplained neck, muscle, or joint pain: Know the causes