Digestion 101: How Our Body Breaks Down Food

Digestion:

The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components in order to absorb nutrients into the blood stream.

Organs Involved:

Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestines, Large Intestines

Accessory Organs involved: liver, gallbladder, and pancreas

Four Digestive Processes:

Motility – movement of food along the GI tract

Secretion – water, electrolytes, enzymes, bile salts and mucus

Digestion – the conversion of complex molecules to their simples form

Absorption – the body takes in or absorbs the simple forms of molecules as well as water, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals