Tayasan, Negros Oriental - Foods that are consumed have nutrients in it. Nutrients are important in our body to function effectively and maintain good health.  But how does the body absorb nutrients from food? The digestive system breaks down food into tiny pieces as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract (GI) by using the following:

Mouth. When chewing, the digestive process starts in mouth. Saliva is a digestive juice produced by salivary glands that helps food travel more readily through your esophagus and into the stomach by moistening it. Another enzyme found in saliva starts to break down the starches in food.

Esophagus. Peristalsis forces the food into the stomach after swallowing.

Stomach. Acid and digestive enzymes are produced by glands in the stomach lining. Food is combined with these digestive juices by the muscles in the stomach.

Pancreas. The digestive juice that is produced by the pancreas contains enzymes that help break down proteins, lipids, and carbs. Through tiny tubes known as ducts, the pancreas sends the digesting juice to the small intestine.

Liver. Bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver, aids in vitamin and fat digestion. The small intestine or the gallbladder receive bile from the liver for usage or storage.

Gallbladder. In between meals, the gallbladder stores bile. When eating, the gallbladder forces bile into the small intestine via the bile ducts.

Small Intestine. The digestive juice produced by the small intestine combines with bile and pancreatic juice to finish the breakdown of proteins, carbs, and lipids. Some of the enzymes required for carbohydrate digestion are produced by bacteria in the small intestine. Water from the bloodstream is transferred into the GI tract through the small intestine to aid in the breakdown of food. Along with other nutrients, the small intestine also absorbs water.

Large Intestine. More water enters the bloodstream in the large intestine from the GI tract. Remaining nutrients are broken down and vitamin K is produced by bacteria in the large intestine. Food remnants that are still too big after digestion end up in stools. // ND II Raya Faith A. Luce, RND