What happens inside the body to the things we eat? Let's learn about the digestive system in simple terms!

We all eat several meals a day. But have you ever thought about what happens inside our bodies when we eat a mouthful of rice or a delicious piece of food? You might think that it just goes into our stomach, but in reality, a much more complex and amazing process takes place inside our bodies. It's like a big factory. In this article, we will talk about this amazing factory in our bodies, the digestive system .

What really happens in the digestive system?

Simply put, the digestive system is a collection of organs that are responsible for the process of separating the nutrients our bodies need from the food we eat and drinking and expelling the unwanted waste products. Imagine taking a coconut, squeezing the coconut milk out of it, and throwing away the remaining coconut powder.

There are two main things happening here:

1. Digestion: The process of breaking down the large pieces of food we eat into small enough nutritional particles for our bodies to absorb.

2. Absorption: The process of absorbing the broken down nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc.) into the blood and sending them to all parts of the body.

When this process is complete, the remaining waste products are excreted from the body as stool . So it is essential for our health that this entire process takes place properly.

The amazing journey of the food we eat...

Imagine you're getting ready to eat a deliciously cooked meal. Your food's journey to your plate begins there.

Step 1: Start with the mouth.

When you look at food, when you smell it, you salivate, right? That's the first step in the digestive process. Our saliva contains enzymes. These enzymes start to dissolve things like starch in the food right there. When you chew and crush the food with your teeth, it mixes with saliva and is better prepared for digestion.

Step 2: Through the esophagus into the stomach

After you swallow food, it travels down the esophagus . The esophagus is like a tube. The muscles in it contract like waves (we call this ``peristalsis``) and push the food into the stomach .

Step 3: Stomach acid factory

The stomach is like a bag full of strong acids and enzymes. When food gets here, these acids and enzymes break it down further, turning it into a liquid paste. This kills germs in the food and starts breaking down things like proteins.

Step 4: Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine

After the stomach, this liquid food mixture goes to the small intestine . This is the longest part of our digestive system. This is where the real magic happens. Various digestive juices from the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder combine with this food and break down all the nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins) in it so that the body can absorb them. These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.

Step 5: Final work in the large intestine

After all the nutrients have been absorbed, the remaining indigestible parts and water go to the large intestine . The main thing that happens here is that the remaining water is reabsorbed back into the body. Once absorbed, the remaining waste solidifies and becomes feces.

Finally, this stool leaves the body through the rectum . This entire journey can usually take about 24 to 72 hours.

Who are the main bodies involved in this work?

This big process can be divided into two parts: the main route through which food travels and the auxiliary organs that help it along.

1. Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract

This is the main road through which food travels. It's like a long tube. If you open it out, it's about 30 feet long!

2. Auxiliary organs (Biliary Tract and others)

These organs do not directly digest food, but they produce juices and enzymes essential for digestion and release them into the small intestine.

• Liver: This is where the bile juice is made. This helps dissolve the fats in food.
• Gallbladder: This is where bile, which is produced by the liver, is stored. When we eat fatty foods, it releases the required amount of bile into the small intestine.
• Pancreas: The enzymes produced by this gland help in the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Common diseases of the digestive system

With such a complex system, it can sometimes go awry. We've all had stomach problems at some point. Here are a few of the most common conditions we see.

• Gastritis and heartburn (Acid reflux and GERD): Acid from the stomach comes up into the esophagus. This causes a burning sensation in the chest and a sour taste in the throat.
• Celiac disease: This is an autoimmune condition. When you eat a protein called gluten (found in bread, pasta, etc.), your body's immune system attacks the small intestine.
• Constipation: Difficulty passing stool, which is painful and may not pass for several days.
• Diarrhea: Frequent, watery stools.
• Stomach ulcers: Sores in the inner wall of the stomach or small intestine.
• Gastroenteritis (Stomach flu): Inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Hemorrhoids: Swollen blood vessels around the anus. They can cause itching, pain, and bleeding.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This includes two main diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These diseases cause long-term inflammation (swelling) of the intestinal tract.

Doctor, what kind of tests can you give?

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order various tests to find the cause.

Things we can do to keep our digestive system healthy

It is better to prevent illness than to take medicine when you are sick. Small changes in our lifestyle can go a long way in maintaining good gut health.

• Drink plenty of water: Water is very important for the digestive process. It helps food move through the digestive tract easily and prevents constipation. Try to drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day.
• Eat more fiber: Foods like legumes, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are rich in fiber. These help in bowel movements.
• Add probiotics: Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in our intestines. They help maintain balance in our digestive system. Yogurt and skim milk are good examples of this.
• Chew your food well and eat slowly: Don't rush when eating, chew your food well. This will ensure that the proper digestion process takes place in your mouth and your stomach will also work more easily.
• Stay away from smoking and alcohol: Alcohol can increase stomach acid and cause gastritis. Smoking is also very harmful to the digestive system.
• Manage Stress: You may be surprised to hear that there is a strong link between stress and stomach upset. When stress increases, some people become constipated, while others experience stomach upset. So, try to relax your mind through things like meditation and exercise.
• Exercise: Staying active and exercising daily is very good for the entire body as well as the digestive system.

Our digestive system is an amazing system that works harder than we think. It does a great job of keeping us healthy throughout our lives. So it's our duty to take good care of it.