GRRRRRRRR.

And now everyone around you knows you're hungry. 😭

But here's the thing: your stomach doesn't only growl because you need food.

Those sounds are called borborygmi (yes, that's actually a real medical word), and they happen because your digestive system is moving gas and fluids through your stomach and intestines.

Your digestive tract is constantly doing little movements called peristalsis. These are wave-like contractions of muscles in the walls of your digestive system that help move food, liquid, and gas along.

When you've eaten recently, there's plenty of food inside, so you might not notice the sounds as much.

But when your stomach is relatively empty, those movements can make the sounds much easier to hear.

That's why your stomach seems to become a professional drummer right when you're trying to stay quiet. 😂

And here's another interesting part:

Your digestive system doesn't just completely “switch off” between meals. It continues moving things around and preparing for the next meal.

So that random growling doesn't necessarily mean:

“FEED ME RIGHT NOW!”

Sometimes your digestive system is simply doing its normal job.

Next time your stomach makes that sound during class, an exam, a meeting, or somewhere you're supposed to be quiet…

Just remember: your digestive system is working.

Unfortunately, it doesn't care about the timing. 😂

Quick medical fact: Stomach and intestinal sounds are largely produced by muscular movements that move gas and fluid through the digestive tract.

Your body really has its own sound effects. 🫠