The Process of disgestion

The process of digestion mixes and softens food, breaking it down chemically so it can be absorbed by the intestine. The whole of the digestive tract moves rhythmically day and night, churning and squeezing food and mixing it with digestive juices.

The slivary glands bgin to digest starch as soon as we eat. As we swallow, muscular contractions move food down the oesophagus to the stomach.

The cells in the lining of the stomach produce hydrochloric acid and some enzymes, which begin digesting food.

In the small intestine, more enzymes plus bile from the liver (via the gall bladder) and pancreatic secretions continue the digestive process. Together they break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates into simple nutrients which can be easily absorbed into the blood. Most of these nutrients go to the liver and are then distributed to the rest of the body to provide energy.

Dietary fibre and some starches are not digested by the enzymes in the small intestine, but pass to the large intestine where bacteria break them down to provide a further source of energy. The bacteria and any fibre which has not been broken down form faeces and are passed from the rectum.