Final answer:
Fats delay stomach emptying as they are digested slowly, which causes food to stay in the stomach for longer, potentially up to 6 hours or more compared to foods lower in fat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fats do indeed delay stomach emptying. The stomach empties contents into the duodenum within 2 to 4 hours after a meal, but the time can vary based on the composition of the food. High-fat meals lead to a longer retention time in the stomach because fats are digested slowly by enzymes in the small intestine.
Consequently, this can increase the duration the stomach retains food up to 6 hours or more. The digestion of lipids by gastric and pancreatic lipases can limit the accessibility of enzymes to other food components covered by fats. Additionally, a hormone called gastric inhibitory peptide secreted by the small intestine in response to fatty foods slows down peristaltic movements, allowing more time for fat digestion and absorption.