Stomach growling, also called borborygmus or borborygmi, is a normal sign of healthy digestion that is typically no cause for concern. You may notice stomach rumbling when you’re hungry, after eating a large meal, or when lying down.

Most of the time, it’s harmless, but if it feels constant, excessive, or comes with other symptoms, it may point to a digestive issue.

This article discusses the timing and causes of stomach growling, as well as when to consult a healthcare provider.

What Causes Stomach Growling?

Muscle Contractions

Peristalsis is the medical term for the involuntary, wave-like contractions of the smooth muscles that move fluid, gas, food, and waste material through the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and large intestine).

These peristaltic movements cause rumbling noises as they push material through your gut, which are usually too quiet to hear unless they’re stronger than usual.

Hunger Hormones

When the stomach is empty, it releases ghrelin, a hormone that signals the sensation of hunger and triggers muscle contractions in the digestive system. This movement of fluids and gas in the stomach leads to borborygmi, or stomach growling.

Everyday Triggers for Stomach Growling

While normal digestion explains why stomach noises happen, certain daily habits and food choices can make them louder or more frequent. The following triggers can worsen stomach growling:

1. Long Gaps Between Meals

Many people experience rumbling stomach sounds on an empty stomach. When a meal is overdue and the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine are empty, hormonal effects can amplify bowel sounds.

2. High-Fiber or Gassy Foods

Certain foods, such as high-fiber and gas-forming foods like broccoli, cauliflower, beans, artificial sweeteners, and dairy products, can lead to bloating, gas pains, and rumbling or gurgling sounds in the stomach and intestines.

3. Laxative Use

Laxatives used to promote bowel movements and relieve constipation can intensify stomach noises by increasing muscle contractions in the gut.

4. Swallowing Air

Chewing gum, using a straw, eating or drinking too quickly, talking while eating, or sleeping with your mouth open can cause you to swallow air, which can collect in your gut and lead to stomach rumbling, gas pains, bloating, burping, and farting.

5. Stress and Anxiety

Research suggests there is a link between mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and aerophagia (swallowing too much air), which can cause increased stomach noises.

Why Does My Stomach Growl After Eating?

1. Active Digestion

Stomach growling can be more noticeable after eating due to the normal digestive process, which causes increased muscle contractions and gas movement through the intestines, which is generally not a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

2. Overeating or Eating Too Quickly

A big meal can lead to increased stomach noises as a result of the digestive system working to move the food along from the stomach to the intestines. Eating too quickly can lead to swallowing more air, which can cause an increase in stomach noises.

3. Food Sensitivities

People with food sensitivities are unable to digest certain foods. The undigested food sits in the large intestine, where bacteria ferment it, producing gas. This can cause symptoms such as gas pains, bloating, diarrhea, and increased bowel sounds.

4. Digestive Conditions

Indigestion, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause increased stomach rumblings, along with other symptoms like a burning feeling in the upper belly, gas pains, cramping, bloating, burping, and upset stomach.

Why Does My Stomach Make So Much Noise When I Lie Down?

1. Less Gravity

When you’re upright, gravity pulls the stomach and intestinal contents downward. When you are lying down, the liquids and food in your gut move around more freely, causing more audible bowel noises.

2. Increased Awareness

Background noises in the daytime, such as conversations, electronic devices, and traffic, can mask stomach sounds during the day. As a result, most people hear their stomach growling when they lie down in a quiet room at night.

3. Worsening Reflux or Indigestion

Lying down can worsen symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion because gravity no longer prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus, which can worsen acid reflux symptoms and bowel sounds.

Tips to Manage Bowel Sounds While Lying Down

Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
Eat your last meal of the day at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. The presence of food in the stomach can increase stomach sounds.
Consider elevating the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches to reduce the effects of gravity and help control acid reflux.
Avoid foods that trigger indigestion and heartburn, for example, fatty, spicy, or acidic foods.

When Is Stomach Growling a Problem?

Excessive stomach growling may be a sign of underlying medical conditions if accompanied by other digestive system symptoms such as:

Abdominal pain
Cramping
Bloating
Excess gas (belching, burping/flatulence, or farting)
Gas pains
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloody stools
Steatorrhea (fatty or greasy stools that float in the toilet bowl)

Underlying health conditions that can cause increased stomach noises include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance.
Stomach or intestinal infection.
Intestinal blockage.
Malabsorption issues typically occur in the small intestine, where most nutrient absorption takes place.

How to Reduce Excess Stomach Noise

Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than two to three large meals.
Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly.
Avoid carbonated drinks and gassy foods.
Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress-related gut activity.
Try probiotics to maintain healthy digestion.
Exercise regularly to support a healthy digestive system.