Digestion of Food
Digestion is the conversion of nondiffusible food elements into diffusible constituents. It includes mechanical digestion (mastication, chewing, etc.) and chemical digestion (enzymatic action on food). After eating, it takes about 6 to 8 hours to move through the stomach and small intestine. After that food enters the large intestine (colon) for further digestion, water absorption, and finally undigested food elimination. It takes about 36 hours for food to pass through the complete colon. Depending on the individual the whole process from swallowing food to the time it leaves the body as feces – takes about 2-5 days.
Digestion Of Food
Food is a substance taken from outside that nourishes the body, builds tissues, and supplies energy. Essential components of our food are mainly carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Vitamins and minerals are also needed in small quantities. Water plays a crucial role in metabolic processes and also prohibits dehydration of the body. Our body cannot utilize biomolecules in food in their original form hence they have to be converted into simple substances in the digestive system.
Digestion is known as the process of conversion of complex food substances into simple absorbable forms. The digestive system carries out the latter through mechanical and biochemical methods. Absorption is the process by which nutrients pass from the alimentary canal into blood and lymph through its mucosa. The absorbed food materials are carried by blood and lymph. The lymph is finally moved to the blood circulation. The blood transports absorbed food materials to different tissues where food materials are utilized for various activities like energy, growth, and repair. This process is called assimilation.
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