Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check

I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?”

Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross.

A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not.

Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time this journey takes—from first bite to elimination—reveals a lot about your overall digestive health.

As food travels through your body, it passes through several organs, each with a specialized job.

  • Your stomach breaks down food with powerful acids and enzymes.
  • The small intestine absorbs essential nutrients.
  • Finally, the large intestine extracts water and prepares waste for elimination.

This entire process is called digestive transit time and it varies considerably from person to person. Healthy transit times typically range from half a day to over three, with most people averaging around 24 hours.

What makes this process work efficiently? A key factor is your gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria in your digestive system.

These microscopic helpers assist with breaking down food and producing beneficial compounds that regulate digestive movements and support your immune system.

You can measure your own transit time at home using corn.

The tough outer shell of corn kernels is made of cellulose, which humans can’t digest. This makes corn an ideal visual marker for tracking how quickly food moves through your system.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Eat a small portion of corn with a meal
  • Make note of when you consumed it
  • Observe when you notice corn appearing in your stool
  • Calculate the hours between consumption and appearance

This simple observation can help you understand whether your digestion falls within typical ranges. If your transit time seems particularly fast (under 12 hours) or slow (over three days), you should talk to your doctor about it.

Understanding your digestive transit time provides valuable insights into your gut health.

If your transit time is optimal (around 24-48 hours), you can continue doing what you’re doing. If it’s too fast (under 12 hours), try adding more soluble fiber from foods like oats and apples to slow things down. For an overly slow transit time (over three days), increase water intake, add insoluble fiber from vegetables and whole grains, and incorporate gentle movement like walking after meals.

Monitor changes in your transit time after making changes so you can fine-tune your diet to reach the ideal digestive balance.

P.S. Let it go—experience the unexpected freedom of “Fart Walks.”

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

50-Cent Nutrient Puts the Brakes on Aging

Scientists discovered a remarkable “anti-aging” solution hiding in plain sight. It isn’t some exotic compound from a remote rainforest or an expensive laboratory creation. It’s a nutrient you can find at any pharmacy for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. The trouble is, most seniors aren’t getting enough of it, which researchers...

Read This

The Hidden Brain Risk Lurking in Your Living Room

If you’re reading this while settled into your favorite chair, you might want to consider standing up… New research uncovered something that might surprise you. Sitting too much can literally shrink your brain. But it gets worse… We all know being sedentary isn’t good for our health. However, researchers at Vanderbilt University uncovered something alarming....

Read This

“Biohack” Your Life Like a Billionaire?! Here’s How

You’ve probably seen the headlines about the billionaire who spent millions on “biohacking” to try to make himself younger. He measures hundreds of biomarkers and pops dozens of pills daily. And he’s undergoing experimental treatments that cost more than most folks’ houses. It may have left you wondering if regular people like you and I...

Read This

Do THIS Daily to Improve Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance

For any couch potatoes out there… I have some exciting news. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you hate the gym or don’t have the time, that might be about to change. A groundbreaking study reveals how a few simple moves, done daily in your own home, could dramatically improve your fitness—even if you’ve skipped...

Read This

Mailbag: A Post-Prostate Cancer Blueprint for a Better Recovery

“My son just got his prostate removed because of cancer. He is doing well and recovering. My question is there any information you can forward with regards to his lifestyle? Are there things he should not eat, things he should be eating, is social drinking a risk, any vitamins that should be on his list?...

Read This

The Stroke-Boosting Threat Lurking in YOUR Arteries

We want to take a moment on this Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selfless commitment to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten, and their legacy lives on in the country they helped preserve. I’ve warned you...

Read This

20-Minute AM Hack Will Revolutionize How You Wake Up

If you feel like you’re in a fog for the first hour after your alarm goes off, you’re not alone. Mornings can be rough. That groggy, disoriented feeling isn’t just annoying—it’s a real physiological phenomenon called “sleep inertia.” And it can drag on for up to two hours after waking, even if you’ve had a...

Read This

Weekly Habit QUINTUPLES Your Cancer Risk

Everyone knows that sugar-sweetened sodas aren’t going to win any nutrition awards. That’s not news. But now, a disturbing new study suggests these soft drinks hide a deadly secret. A regular soda habit could do far more damage than just expand your waistline or raise your diabetes risk. The new research reveals these sugary treats...

Read This

Unlikely Duo Naturally SLASHES High Blood Pressure

Some things just naturally belong together—such as peanut butter and jelly, salsa and chips, or two peas in a pod. But there’s an unlikely pair that researchers say could do wonders for your heart health. A comprehensive new study from the University of Surrey has revealed that compounds found naturally in tea and chocolate can...

Read This

The Surprising Link Between Jaw Tension and Anxiety

Ever catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an important phone call? Well, it might tell you something important about what’s happening “upstairs.” Turns out, that jaw tension isn’t just annoying—it’s a direct hotline to your anxiety levels. And most of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. I’ve...

Read This