[1] A pattern of electrical activity is also observed in the gastrointestinal tract in a regular cycle during this interdigestive period.
[2] These motor complexes trigger peristaltic waves, which facilitate transportation of indigestible substances such as bone, fiber, and foreign bodies from the stomach, through the small intestine, past the ileocecal sphincter, and into the colon.
The MMC occurs every 90–230 minutes during the interdigestive phase (i.e., between meals) and is responsible for the rumbling experienced when hungry.
[6] They consist of four distinct phases: Movements of the small bowel are believed to be controlled by the central and enteric nervous systems, intestinal muscles, and numerous peptides and hormones.
For others, it may be beneficial to space out food intake to allow for a couple of cleaning waves to occur between meals throughout the day as well.