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1. Food We Eat
The Body’s
of the
Breakdown
CARBS
• Digestion begins in the mouth via chewing and
salivary amylase
• The food mixture, known as chyme, passes
through the stomach to the small intestine
• The pancreas releases the enzyme amylase to
break down polysaccharides
• Lactase, sucrase and maltase enzymes are also
produced to break down disaccharides into
monosaccharides, or simple sugars
• These simple sugars are absorbed into the
bloodstream, where they can be used as an
energy source
FIBER
• Dietary fiber passes through the stomach,
small intestine and colon, and out of the body
• Some fiber is digested by bacteria in
the colon
• Other fiber passes through the body mostly
unchanged
FATS
• Digestion begins in the mouth where
lingual lipase breaks down short-chain lipids
into diglycerides
• The majority of fat digestion happens once it
reaches the small intestine
• The pancreas releases enzymes that break
down fats
• The liver produces bile to digest fats and
certain vitamins
PROTEIN
• Hydrochloric acid and enzymes in the stomach
break protein into smaller chains of amino acids
• These amino acids chains are joined by peptides
• The small chains of amino acids move into the
small intestine
• Microvilli in the small intestine aid in absorption of
amino acids and other nutrients
• Once absorbed, amino acids are released into the
bloodstream to support muscle maintenance, tissue
repair, immune function and hormone synthesis
SUGAR
• Digestion occurs in the mouth, stomach and small
intestine
• All forms of sugar break down into the smallest
possible sugar molecule with the help of digestive
enzymes located in the lining of the small intestine
• Once sugars are broken down into
monosaccharides, it is absorbed through the
intestine and into the blood as glucose
DAIRY
• Lactose is broken down into two individual
sugars (glucose and galactose) in the small
intestine by an enzyme called lactase
The digestive system works like a giant food processer. Its primary functions
are ingestion, secretion, mixing, movement, digestion, absorption and execretion.
Read on to learn how the body breaks down various foods.
Tips for Better Digestive Health
Take digestive enzymes
Stay hydrated
Eat fiber-rich foods
Exercise regularly
Incorporate probiotics
into your diet
Avoid smoking,
excessive caffeine and alcohol
Mix food properly
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