Digestion

Digestion

Digestion begins with the sound, sight, smell and even thoughts of food, which send messages to our digestion to prepare for eating or drinking.

Chewing food breaks it down, and mixes it with saliva (which contains digestive enzymes). Chewing is a crucial part of healthy digestion.

The food then passes down the oesophagus into the stomach.

The stomach is like a washing machine, churning the food to further break it down and mixing it with acid.

The liver and gallbladder secrete bile, which helps to break down fats, and the pancreas releases important digestive enzymes.

The small intestine is where most of the nutrients are absorbed from food. It has a huge surface area, as it is lined with finger-like projections called villi.

The large intestine is home to the majority of our internal community, the microbiota (friendly microbes). They are nourished by the fibre reaching this part of our digestive tract. The large intestine is also where excess water is absorbed.

Waste is stored in the rectum, waiting to be excreted roughly once a day, although this can vary.

To learn more about digestion, please head to the below resources.

On ameliafreer.com:

Gut Health, Part 1: The Basics of Gut Health

Gut Health, Part 2: Probiotics and Prebiotics in Gut Health

Gut Health, Part 3: How to Nourish Your Gut

Books

Gut – Giulia Enders (highly recommended reading)

Be Good to Your Gut: The Ultimate Guide to Gut Health - with 80 Delicious Recipes to Feed Your Body and Mind – Eve Kalinik