Studies have shown that the entire process takes about an average of 50 hours for healthy people, but can vary between 24 and 72, based on a number of factors. After chewing food and swallowing it, it passes through the stomach and small intestine over a period of 4 to 7 hours. The time passing through the large intestine is much longer, averaging about 40 hours. For men the average time to digest food is shorter overall than it is for women. Having a digestive condition that affects transit time (the time it takes for food to pass through the digestive system) can shorten or extend the time.