My Stomach Is Getting Louder (And It's Getting Embarrassing)

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in a quiet meeting, on a first date, or in the library pretending to read that self-help book - and then it happens. Your stomach lets out a growl so loud you expect applause from the next table. If your belly has turned into a gurgling boombox, you’re not alone. Let’s look at why your stomach is making so much noise and what you can do about it (short of duct tape).

What’s That Noise Anyway?

That growling sound? It’s called borborygmi (pronounced bor-bor-IG-mee). Yes, it sounds like a dinosaur. And yes, it’s perfectly normal—unless it starts to feel like you’re hosting a rock concert in your abdomen.

These sounds are created by movement of gas and fluids through your digestive system. Your intestines are muscular tubes that squeeze and churn food and drink in a process called peristalsis. Sometimes, it’s a silent shuffle. Other times, it’s a marching band in wellies.

So Why the Sudden Volume Boost?

If your stomach has gone from background hum to full-blown soundtrack, a few things could be turning up the volume:

• You're Hungry: When your stomach is empty, the brain signals the gut to “clear the decks.” The contractions and air swirls get louder—kind of like a dishwasher on an empty cycle. Totally normal, just awkward in a quiet lift.
• You’re Swallowing Air: It’s called aerophagia, and it happens when you talk while eating, chew gum, drink fizzy drinks, or breathe like Darth Vader during yoga. That air has to go somewhere—and it often goes whoosh and gurgle.
• Your Diet’s Gone Wild: Beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, lentils, and carbonated drinks are gas-making machines. High-FODMAP foods (fermentable carbs) can cause extra fermentation in your gut—hello, symphony orchestra.
• You’ve Been Antibiotic’d: A course of antibiotics can wipe out the good bacteria in your gut, leaving your digestive system grumbling. Probiotics may help rebalance things, but it takes time.
• Stress: Your gut and brain are in constant WhatsApp contact. Feeling anxious? Your tummy might respond with noise, cramps, or that lovely “do I need the loo right now?” sensation. Thanks, cortisol.
• Underlying Conditions: If it’s happening a lot, and comes with bloating, diarrhoea, or pain, it could be worth chatting to your GP. Conditions like IBS, lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, or even small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) could be involved.

How to Turn the Volume Down

Here’s the good news: you’re not doomed to a life of noisy intestines. Try these cheeky tricks:

• Don’t skip meals – Regular eating keeps the gut rhythm steady. An empty belly = louder acoustics.
• Chew slowly – Not only does it look polite, it stops you gulping air like a human hoover.
• Cut back on fizzy stuff – Sparkling water might be trendy, but your colon doesn’t think so.
• Watch your fibre bombs – Beans and lentils are healthy, yes—but ease in gently if you’re not used to them. Otherwise, it’s... musical.
• Move a bit after eating – A gentle walk helps digestion and moves gas along. No need to powerwalk like you’re late for a Ryanair flight.
• Try probiotics – Some yoghurts and supplements can help settle a noisy gut by boosting good bacteria.

When to Worry (and When Not To)

If your noisy gut is the only symptom, chances are it’s harmless. But see a doctor if the rumbles come with:

• Persistent pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in your poo (frequency, colour, consistency)
• Frequent bloating, nausea or discomfort

Your GP may run some tests or refer you to a specialist. But don’t let Google convince you you’ve got some rare 18th-century parasite. Most gut grumbles have simple fixes.

The Bottom Line (Pun Intended)

Your stomach talks. Sometimes it whispers, sometimes it shouts. It’s trying to tell you something—usually that it’s hungry, gassy, or annoyed at last night’s takeaway.

So next time your tummy roars during a team meeting, own it. Say something cheeky like: “That was my stomach. It’s auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent.” Then go eat something (quietly).

“Your gut is your second brain—so treat it like your smarter sibling. Feed it well, don’t stress it out, and give it a bit of space when it gets noisy.”

Take care of your belly—it’s doing more work than you think. And remember: the only thing worse than a noisy stomach is holding in a sneeze on a silent Zoom call.