Digestive health

Your digestive system breaks down food and liquid into their chemical components — carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals — so the body can absorb these nutrients, use them for energy, and build or repair cells.

Many organs make up the digestive system. Digestion begins the moment food is chewed and travels from the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Once in the stomach, food is mixed with digestive enzymes and then slowly emptied into the small intestine, which further breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and sends them into the bloodstream.

The remaining watery food residue moves into your large intestine (the colon). As undigested food passes through it, bacteria feed off the remnants. The wall of the large intestine soaks up most of the remaining water.

Other organs also contribute to the digestive process. The liver produces bile, a brownish-yellow liquid that helps to digest fat. Bile is stored until needed in the gallbladder. The pancreas works with the small intestine to produce enzymes needed to help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Any undigested food that remains is expelled by a highly efficient disposal system involving the rectum and anus.