Why Your Stomach Growls When Hungry

Published on March 11, 2025

by Harriet King

It happens to everyone — you’re sitting in a quiet room, maybe in a meeting or a classroom, and suddenly your stomach makes an embarrassingly loud growl. It’s one of the most familiar and oddly specific human experiences, but have you ever stopped to wonder: what exactly causes that rumble?

Despite its comedic timing, the science behind stomach growling is fascinating and surprisingly complex. Let’s uncover what’s really going on in your belly when it starts speaking up — and why it’s perfectly natural.

Why Does Your Stomach Make Noise?

Let’s break down the main reasons your stomach sounds like it’s hosting a conversation during lunchtime:

1. It’s Called Borborygmi

The technical term for stomach growling is borborygmi (pronounced bor-bor-RIG-mee), and it refers to the rumbling noises made by gas and fluid moving through the digestive tract.

Here’s what causes it:

Muscular contractions called peristalsis push food, gas, and liquid through your intestines.
As these substances move, they slosh around and create sound.
The walls of your gastrointestinal tract vibrate, producing that familiar growl.
It can happen at any time — not just when you’re hungry.

2. Hunger Makes It Louder

Although your stomach rumbles throughout the day, the sounds become louder and more noticeable when you’re hungry. Why?

Here’s what’s happening:

When your stomach is empty, there’s less material to muffle the noise.
Hunger triggers the brain to send signals for the digestive system to prep for food — this increases contractions and fluid flow.
The movement of gas and digestive juices becomes more pronounced.
That’s why your stomach “talks” the most when it’s waiting for lunch.

3. Digestion Never Really Stops

Even after eating, your digestive system keeps working — and making sounds — as it processes food.

It’s all part of a system in motion:

Digestion is a continuous process involving waves of muscle movement.
These waves keep things moving from stomach to intestines, even hours after a meal.
Gas buildup during digestion can increase pressure and sound.
That’s why nighttime growling or post-meal rumbles are totally normal.

The Backstory of Digestive Sounds

Doctors and researchers have studied intestinal sounds for centuries — not just to explain social embarrassment, but to understand gut health. In fact, listening to stomach sounds can be a diagnostic tool for identifying blockages, inflammation, or digestive disorders.

Historically, borborygmi was linked to “empty belly” folk beliefs, but now we know it’s more than just a hunger cue — it’s a sign your gut is working.

Why It’s So Intriguing

Stomach growling is one of those funny body quirks we all experience — but usually ignore. What makes it fascinating is how automatic and rhythmic it is — a bodily soundscape we carry with us all the time.

Understanding these noises gives us insight into the smooth coordination of muscles, enzymes, nerves, and even our brain’s appetite centers.

What Most People Don’t Know

Here are a few surprising facts about stomach growling and digestion:

Borborygmi is not exclusive to humans — it happens in most mammals, including pets and livestock.
Stress and anxiety can increase gut motility, making growls more frequent.
Drinking carbonated beverages can increase stomach noise by introducing extra gas.
Growling doesn’t mean your stomach is “empty” — it can occur even with food present.

Bonus Fact

In some cultures, a growling stomach is considered polite — a sign of good digestion and appreciation for a meal!

Takeaway

Your stomach growls because it’s alive, active, and always working. Whether it’s reacting to hunger, moving a meal along, or just doing some internal housekeeping, those rumbles are the soundtrack of a healthy gut.

So the next time your belly makes noise, smile — it means your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to.