It is critical to adhere to this process before the procedure so the provider can clearly visualize the gastrointestinal tract. Ī clear liquid diet is typically ordered before gastrointestinal procedures, such as endoscopies or colonoscopies, in addition to the bowel preparation regimen prescribed.

To mitigate this risk, most providers recommend not to eat solid foods eight hours prior to the procedure and may allow clear liquids up to two hours before procedures. Different food items are digested and emptied from the stomach at different rates and stimulate gastric secretions and acid production depending upon their constituent makeup. It is recommended to minimize gastric volume and stimulation in the immediate preoperative period to lower the risk of aspiration with general anesthesia. Next, it progresses to the large intestine, which absorbs water and condenses the chyme into a stool, and then moves to the rectum, where it is excreted through the anus. This digestive mix is called chyme, and it moves into the small intestine, where the walls of the small intestine (via lumenal projections called villi) absorb nutrients and water. Clear liquids are the easiest for the body to break down because they have very few proteins and fats and are predominantly made up of easily digestible carbohydrates, causing less gastric stimulation. This process is stimulated by the presence of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the stomach.

In the stomach, digestive enzymes break down proteins into amino acids, fats into fatty acids and glycerol, and carbohydrates into simple sugars. The upper esophageal sphincter relaxes to allow entry of the bolus, and involuntary peristalsis moves the liquid down the esophagus with coordinated, wave-like contractions into the stomach. The soft palate closes reflexively to separate the oropharynx from the nasopharynx, and the larynx elevates with simultaneous coverage of the laryngeal inlet by the epiglottis, protecting the lower airway. Swallowing clear liquids occurs by voluntarily moving the liquid to the back of the mouth but requiring less oral mechanical coordination from the tongue and cheeks when compared to swallowing solids. Saliva is released in response to autonomic stimulation from olfactory and gustatory input, as well as mastication, and facilitates several functions, including swallowing. The digestive system begins at the mouth.

Good clear liquid diet foods