What is gastric emptying?

Gastric emptying is how fast food leaves your stomach for the small intestine; GLP-1 medications slow it down, which is why food feels like it sits longer.

Gastric emptying is how fast food leaves your stomach for the small intestine; GLP-1 medications slow it down, which is why food feels like it sits longer. Slowed gastric emptying is one of three main mechanisms of GLP-1s (along with insulin release and brain satiety signaling). It's the reason for fullness, nausea, and reduced appetite — and most GI side effects. Delayed emptying generally adapts over weeks at each dose. Smaller, lower-fat, lower-carbonation meals sit more comfortably while your stomach adjusts. Tell your provider before sedation or anesthesia — most clinical guidelines now recommend pausing GLP-1s for several days beforehand because of aspiration risk.

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