Nutrition
Migrating Motor Complex
Migrating motor complex cleans the small bowel between meals—roughly ninety-minute fasting gaps support motility better than all-day snacking for some IBS patterns.
The migrating motor complex is the fasting housekeeping wave that sweeps the small intestine between meals—clearing residue and limiting bacterial overgrowth when it runs often enough. It needs roughly ninety minutes without calories; constant snacking or late-night grazing can blunt the cycle.
Sleep disruption and opioids also slow MMC activity. Athletes who nibble all day for fear of hunger may worsen bloating, not fix it.
Common questions
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Do sports drinks during long runs stop the MMC?
Calories pause the fasting wave—fine during sessions, but constant sipping off days may matter. Use structured meals and gaps on rest days when motility is sluggish.
Related terms
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