Digestive Health Quiz

Image: Alberto Ruggieri/Illustration Works/Getty Images

About This Quiz

We eat every day but what happens after the food leaves our mouths is mostly a mystery to many of us. Find out how your digestion knowledge stacks up with this digestive quiz.

How long does it take to digest an average meal?

8 to 12 hours

12 to 24 hours

A normal meal takes between 12 and 24 hours to digest completely.

48 hours

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How much saliva do you produce each day?

1 cup

4 cups

6 cups

We typically produce 6 cups, or 1.5 quarts, of saliva each day.

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How many servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains should you eat daily?

1 serving

3 servings

5 servings

Each of us should eat five servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains each day.

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What is the maximum daily recommended percentage of calories from fat?

20 percent

30 percent

Calories from fat should not exceed 30 percent of total calories consumed each day.

40 percent

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How much do Americans spend on laxatives each year?

$10 million

$100 million

$1 billion

Americans spend nearly $1 billion (actually about $900 million) on laxatives annually.

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Why is fiber essential to a healthy digestive tract?

It acts as a natural laxative.

It fills you up so you don't overeat.

It keeps food moving through the digestive tract.

All of the above.

Fiber acts as a natural laxatives, gives us a "full" feeling that keeps us from overeating and keeps food moving smoothly through the digestive tract.

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