Your Stomach Completely Replaces Its Lining Every 5 Days

The human stomach has an remarkable ability to regenerate its lining completely every 3-5 days, making it one of the fastest-renewing tissues in the human body. This rapid turnover is essential for survival because stomach acid is so corrosive it would quickly damage the stomach wall without this constant renewal. The stomach lining contains specialized cells called gastric epithelial cells that divide rapidly and migrate from the base of gastric pits to the surface, where they form a protective barrier. These cells secrete mucus and bicarbonate to neutralize acid and create a protective layer. The entire process is so efficient that about 500,000 cells are replaced every minute. This rapid regeneration also explains why the stomach can heal from ulcers relatively quickly once the underlying cause (like H. pylori bacteria) is treated. The stomach's ability to constantly renew itself is a testament to the body's incredible healing capabilities.