How Does Our Stomach Digest Food

To live and grow, we take food. For the body to use it, it must undergo a series of chemical and physical changes. This process is called food digestion.

Digesting starts by putting food in the mouth, chewing and swallowing. It is done in a digestive system.

All parts of this system are interrelated, and differ in their actions. It goes out of the mouth into the throat, which serves as a passage of food and air, and then into the esophagus, which connects the throat with the stomach.

The stomach continues to the duodenum, which passes into the small intestine. The digestive system ends with a large intestine and anus.

The spit in the mouth helps to dispel starch which is, for example, found in potatoes or grains – the ingredients of the food we take. When the food in the mouth is moist, softened and slim, it goes down the throat and along the esophagus and then enters the stomach. Most of the process of digestion is carried out there.

Gastric juices, which excite the glands in the stomach wall, are mixed with food. Salt (hydrochloric acid) is one of the gastric juices, and there is still pepsin, which helps the growth of protein chewing on more complex ingredients and thus speeds up digestion.

The starch is also stirred with juices for digestion and when the food passes into the liquid state, it is ready to pass from the stomach into the duodenum, through the opening in the bottom final section of the stomach called the pylorus.

The worst food for digestion

Highly fat and fried foods – both types of food can cramp the stomach, which can result in acid uptake and heartburn. Fatty foods can also lead to a pale stool, which is actually a sign of excess fat in the stool. People with irritable bowel syndrome must be kept away from fatty foods, including butter and cream, as they will cause digestive problems.

Chilli peppers can irritate the esophagus and lead to heartburn, which may be a problem for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or chronic heartburn.

Alcohol relaxes the body, but relaxes the esophagus sphincter. This can lead to acid reflux and heartburn.

It can also lead to inflammation of the stomach lining, hinder certain enzymes and prevent absorption of nutrients. Too much alcohol can cause diarrhea and cramps.

The best food for digestion

Yogurt – in the intestines you have millions of bacteria that help digest, and yogurt contains some types of good bacteria.

Cabbage improves the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. It also helps eliminate waste from the intestines.

Chicken and fish – if you eat meat, choose chicken, fish and other unleavened meat, as you will digest it easier than a juicy steak.

Whole grains – like whole wheat bread, oats and brown rice, are a good source of fiber, which helps digest.

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