Refers to the speed at which food and drink leave the stomach.
The rate of gastric (stomach) emptying after consumption of foods and beverages has potentially important influences with regard to athletic performance. Dietary (or nondietary) factors that slow the rate of gastric emptying can limit fuel availability for exercise, thus adversely impacting performance. Many have suggested that a slower rate of gastric emptying could produce gastrointestinal discomfort, which may hinder athletic performance, and would likely reduce the rate of water absorption increasing risk for dehydration-related performance impairment. Conversely, a meted release of food from the stomach may produce a steadier flow of nutrients, such as glucose, into the bloodstream. Some have suggested that this may produce lower glycemic and insulinemic responses, which may result in performance benefits from pre-exercise feedings.
The physiological mechanism through which ingested nutrients exit the gastric chamber and transit into the initial segment of the small intestine known as the duodenum, is commonly referred to as gastric emptying.