Last supper

摘要

The story on Otzi the iceman's last meal (10 December 2011, p 10) provides a chance to correct an error that was also perpetuated in a recent film on the subject. Both sources implied that the stomach empties in 30 to 60 minutes. This is incorrect. It half-empties in that time, varying from 30 minutes to more than 60. The stomach still contains about one-sixth of its last meal after 2 hours, and is completely empty after about 3 hours. Fat slows gastric emptying.