Some determinants of whole-gut transit time: a population-based study

Slow whole-gut transit time may be associated with an increased risk of gallstones, and possibly bowel cancer, but its determinants are unknown. We looked for these determinants in a community-based study of 884 women aged 25–69 years and 677 men aged 40–69 years. Transit time was estimated using prospective examination of three stools and a questionnaire about bowel habit. Diet and alcohol intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In women 40 g alcohol/day, mean transit time was 49 h compared with 54 h in those drinking