Why digestion is important

Skip to main content. Digestive system explained. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. The mouth and oesophagus The stomach The small intestine Pancreas Liver The large intestine Common problems in the digestive system Where to get help Things to remember. The mouth and oesophagus Digestion begins in the mouth.

The stomach The food passes through a sphincter, or small muscle ring, into the stomach. The small intestine Once in the duodenum, the food is mixed with more digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Pancreas The pancreas is one of the largest glands in the human body. Liver The liver has a number of different roles in the body, including: breaking down fats, using bile stored in the gall bladder processing proteins and carbohydrates filtering and processing impurities, drugs and toxins generation of glucose for short-term energy needs from other compounds like lactate and amino acids.

The large intestine Once all the nutrients have been absorbed, the waste is moved into the large intestine, or bowel. Common problems in the digestive system Some common problems include: colitis — inflammation of the bowel diverticulitis — inflammation of pouches lining the small intestine gastroenteritis — an infection that causes vomiting and diarrhoea heartburn — when the contents of the stomach back up into the oesophagus ulcer — a hole in the mucous membrane lining the stomach or duodenum.

Where to get help Your doctor Things to remember Food is broken down by the digestive system to give energy to every cell in the body. The digestive tract starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. The movement pushes food and liquid through your GI tract and mixes the contents within each organ. The muscle behind the food contracts and squeezes the food forward, while the muscle in front of the food relaxes to allow the food to move.

Food starts to move through your GI tract when you eat. When you swallow, your tongue pushes the food into your throat. A small flap of tissue, called the epiglottis, folds over your windpipe to prevent choking and the food passes into your esophagus. Once you begin swallowing, the process becomes automatic. Your brain signals the muscles of the esophagus and peristalsis begins. Lower esophageal sphincter. When food reaches the end of your esophagus, a ringlike muscle—called the lower esophageal sphincter —relaxes and lets food pass into your stomach.

After food enters your stomach, the stomach muscles mix the food and liquid with digestive juices. The stomach slowly empties its contents, called chyme , into your small intestine. Small intestine. The muscles of the small intestine mix food with digestive juices from the pancreas, liver, and intestine, and push the mixture forward for further digestion.

The walls of the small intestine absorb water and the digested nutrients into your bloodstream. As peristalsis continues, the waste products of the digestive process move into the large intestine.

Large intestine. Waste products from the digestive process include undigested parts of food, fluid, and older cells from the lining of your GI tract. The large intestine absorbs water and changes the waste from liquid into stool. Peristalsis helps move the stool into your rectum.

The lower end of your large intestine, the rectum, stores stool until it pushes stool out of your anus during a bowel movement. Watch this video to see how food moves through your GI tract.

As food moves through your GI tract, your digestive organs break the food into smaller parts using:. The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva , a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food. You can also request an appointment online. Austin Gastroenterology in Central Texas is the largest physician group that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

Austin Gastro has more than 30 board-certified gastroenterologists and more than two dozen mid-level providers.

Locations Providers. Why is Digestive Health Important? Eat Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Eating fresh vegetables and fruits is a great way to get nutrients and natural enzymes that can aid overall digestive health and function. Avoid Artificial Sweeteners and Processed Foods Avoid eating chemical-laden and processed foods and start eating natural foods.

See a Gastroenterologist Regularly One of the best things you can do to improve your digestive health is to visit a gastroenterologist on a regular basis.

All rights reserved. Physician Referrals. Digestive system and its function How does digestion work - animation Why is digestion important? How does food move through the GI tract? How do digestive juices in each organ of the GI tract break down food?

What happens to the digested food molecules? How is the digestive process controlled? PROTEIN Foods such as meat, eggs, and beans consist of large molecules of protein that the body digests into smaller molecules called amino acids. FATS Fat molecules are a rich source of energy for the body and help the body absorb vitamins.