Here is a very basic overview of how digestion works. It is important to understand digestion because it makes nutrition easier concept to grasp.
1. The mouth- Digestion begins when food enters the mouth. Chewing begins breaking down the food. Saliva begins breaking down the carbohydrates.
Tip: Some vitamins such as vitamin B is best absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
Tip: Try chewing a saltine cracker for a full minute or two. You will begin to taste sweetness. That is an indication that the saliva is breaking down the carbohydrates into simple sugars.
2. The esophagus- After the food is swallowed it enters the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube that helps move the food along to the stomach.
3. The Stomach- In the stomach the enzyme pepsin is excreted and mixes with the hydrochloric acid present in the stomach to begin the digestion of proteins. Once food is passed through the stomach is referred to as chyme.
Tip: Often it is thought that too much stomach acid causes acid reflux and heart burn. Too much stomach acid is a very rare condition. Acid reflux and heart burn is more likely caused by over eating. The food, coated in stomach acid, is being pushed up into the esophagus which causes a burning sensation.
4. The intestines- The chyme enters the small intestines where all the nutrients are absorbed through the microscopic finger like villi on the lining of the small intestines. Vitamins and minerals pair up with carbohydrates, fats and proteins to be absorbed.
Tip:!--If the vitamins and minerals are not present in the chyme (food) that is being absorbed, then it has to be extracted from the body. This can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
5. The Liver and the gallbladder- The liver excretes bile into the small intestines to emulsify the fats in the chyme, making it easier for the body to absorb. The left over bile is recycled into the gallbladder where it will be filtered by the liver and reused.
Tip: The liver provides several functions in the body including filtering toxins out of the body. To reduce stress on the liver avoid high fat foods, binge drinking, and toxic chemicals.
Tip:Some experts believe that using olive oil instead of other fats could prevent gallstones.
6. The Large intestines- What ever is not absorbed in the small intestines moves on to the large intestines to be eliminated. This is largely fiber and hard starches. Good bacteria is also present in the large intestines. They feed on soluble fiber and produce vitamin K for the body.
Tip: Eating probiotic foods like yogurt can help keep the good bacteria in your colon happy and healthy.
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