If a person positions him/herself upside down and swallows food, will it reach the stomach against gravity? If so how?
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asked Aug 24, 2013 at 18:48
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4$\begingroup$ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swallowing#Pharyngeal_phase, phase 11. So... yes $\endgroup$– John DvorakCommented Aug 24, 2013 at 18:56
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2 Answers
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The eminent @JanDvorak has basically provided the full answer, but yes, it is possible. You can easily try this yourself, just lean off a bed and swallow something (small) and see what happens. Peristalsis in the esophagus is responsible for moving food down into the stomach. The big proof of this is that astronauts can eat when in space, when weightless. Their food is moved into the stomach just fine.
It's easier to do it upright (peristalsis + gravity) as opposed to upside down (peristalsis - gravity) but definitely quite possible.
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1$\begingroup$ It is not a good idea to experiment with this just like that. A part of food can enter your larynx and bronchi and eventually lead to aspiration pneumonia. $\endgroup$– JanCommented Jan 23, 2020 at 8:39
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Yes it is possible. As I myself have experienced it.I was doing a headstand when I tried it.It does take a lot of time but does reach the stomach.
