Browsing: Digestion

Digestion is a complex process by which the body breaks down food into nutrients that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body for energy, growth, and cell repair. This process begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva to start breaking down complex carbohydrates. The food then moves to the stomach, where it is mixed with digestive juices containing enzymes and acids that further break down proteins and fats. Next, the semi-liquid food passes into the small intestine, where it is combined with bile from the liver and digestive enzymes from the pancreas. This mixture helps in the digestion and absorption of fats and other nutrients. The walls of the small intestine absorb the nutrients into the bloodstream. What remains, primarily indigestible fiber and water, moves into the large intestine, where water is absorbed and the remaining material is eventually excreted as feces. The entire process is regulated by neural and hormonal responses that communicate between the gut and the brain.