First, digestion
begins in the
mouth (Sizer &
Whitney, 2014). The mouth
is where the
break down of the food begins. The food is chewed so
that individuals will
not choke (Sizer
& Whitney, 2014). Our
saliva also consist
of a digestive
enzyme known as
amylase that helps
to breakdown sugar
and starch (kidhealth, n.d.) found
in food, which aid
in the digestion
process. The tongue
produces traces of a fat
- digesting enzyme
that assist with
the breakdown of
food, especially milk
fats (Sizer &
Whitney, 2014).
Second, the chewed food is now known as bolus and passes
to the stomach through the
esophagus (Hankins, Morse, & Bennett - Clarke, 2007.). In
the stomach the
bolus is liquefied
into chyme, by
continuous mashing and
squeezing actions (Sizer
& Whitney, 2014). The
purpose of the
stomach is to
mechanically and chemically
process ingested food as well
(Hankins, Morse &
Bennett - Clarke, 2007). The
acid in the
stomach “works to
uncoil protein strands
and to activate
the stomach’s protein
- digesting enzymes”
(Sizer & Whitney, 2014).
After this
process in the
stomach the chyme enters the
small intestines through
the pyloric sphincter
(Hankins, Morse &
Bennett - Clarke, 2007). The
small intestine is
the major site
for nutrient absorption
(Hankins, Morse &
Bennett - Clarke, 2007). and
the small intestine
is made up
of three parts.
The three parts
includes: “the duodenum,
jejunum and the
ileum” (Hankins, Morse
& Bennett -
Clarke, 2007). The duodenum
produces mucus in
excessive amounts to
protect the intestinal
lining from the
acid found in
the chyme (National
Geographic, n.d.). Although,
“bile from the
liver and gallbladder,
and digestive enzymes
from the pancreas
empties into the duodenum
to aid in
digestion” (Hankins, Morse
& Bennett -
Clarke, 2007). Vitamins
passes through the
jejunum (Cannon, 2013)
Next, the chyme not
used or absorbed
in the small
intestine then enters
into the large intestine
(Hankins, Morse &
Bennett - Clarke, 2007)
also known as
the colon (Sizer
& Whitney, 2014).
As the remaining
chyme passes through
the colon, water
and salts are
absorbed and the
chyme is turned
into waste (feces)
(Hankins, Morse
& Bennett -
Clarke, 2007). For a clearer understanding
of how food
is processed in
the digestive system
we will breakdown
how pizza is
digested. As stated
before, the digestion
process begins in
the mouth. The
pizza is broke
down into tiny
pieces as the
food is chewed
and the digestive
enzymes found in
the saliva and
tongue extracts some
of the starches,
sugar and fats.
The food is
no longer food
but known as
bolus and it
travels down the
esophagus to the
stomach. In the
stomach the nutrients
(starches, sugars, fat,
protein and fiber)
is turned into
chyme.
The chyme
then enters the
small intestine, which is
then mixed with
the bile released
from the liver,
gallbladder and digestive
enzymes from the
pancreas, and the
digestion process continues
and the remaining
nutrients is absorbed.
The chyme not
used in the
small intestine is
passed to the
large intestine (colon).
In the colon
water and salts
are absorbed and
form waste.
While the
digestion process does
not seem to
be that complex,
often times certain
foods can contribute
to digestive disorders.
Therefore, it is
important that one
understands that their
digestive tract has
a way of
communicating to you.
In Sizer &
Whitney (2014) there
is a letter
from your digestive
track. The letter
speaks about the
different bodily functions
such as: belching,
gurgling and gas,
and how those
bodily functions are
influenced by food
choices, the way
one eats (fast)
and what a
person drinks.
Therefore, one
needs to be
mindful and be
aware of the
foods that increase
belching, gurgling and
gas. For example:
milk, beans can
be a contributing
factor for increase
gas. Also, it
is important for
people to take
their time while
eating and
do not eat
too much and
drink too fast.
Overeating causes heartburn
and the prescribed
drugs or over
- the -
counter medicine only
hinders what the
digestive system is designed to do. However,
it is wise
to check with
your healthcare provider
to make certain
that you are
not covering up
symptoms of an
ulcer, hernia gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD) when
you choose to
take over -
the - counter
medication.
The inability
to use the
restroom can become
an issue as
well. So, it
is necessary to
use the restroom
without delay and
it is important
to drink plenty
of water to
reduce constipation. Make
sure you consume
fiber on a
regular basis. For
fiber intake assist
with the elimination
of feces and make
the process easier. Should
diarrhea occur drink
plenty of clear
juices or broth.
If the diarrhea
last longer than a day
or two seek
medical attention.
The digestive
system plays an
important role when
it comes to
providing the body
and muscles with
the needed nutrients.
The digestive process begins
in the mouth,
the food that
is consumed is
mixed with digestive
enzymes that breaks
down the nutrients
food in the food.
The food then
enters the stomach
as bolus and
the digestion process
continues. The stomach
still breaks down
the food and
turn it into
chyme. The chyme is
then released into
the small intestine
and the bile
releases from the
liver, gallbladder and
digestive enzymes released
from the pancreas to
aid in the
digestive process, absorbing
the needed nutrients
from the food. The
nutrients not absorbed
in the small
intestine is passed
to the colon and
water and salts
are absorbed and
feces is created.
It is equally
important for people
to taking care
of their digestive
system. Listen to the bodily
functions and take
heed to the
signs and symptoms
and seek medical
attention prior to
self medication. Eat
foods that do not
increase belching, gas or
gurgling. Always eat
slow and do
not overeat for
it impacts the
process of the
digestive system.
References:
National Geographic (n.d.) The Digestive System Retrieved from:
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/digestive-
system-article/
Sizer & Whitney (2014) Nutrition Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning
Structure and Function: The Digestive System [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aviva.co.uk/health-insurance/home-of-health/medical-centre/medical encyclopedia/entry/structure-and-function-the-digestive-system/
Your Digestive System (n.d) Retrieved from:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/digestive.html#
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