Digestive System

The digestive system is a group of organs that break down food into nutrients the body can absorb and use for energy, growth and tissue repair. Digestion begins in the mouth, where teeth chew food and saliva starts breaking down starches. After swallowing, food passes through the esophagus into the stomach.

There, muscular movements mix it with gastric juices containing acid and enzymes that continue digestion, especially of proteins. The partially digested food then enters the small intestine, where most nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The liver produces bile, stored in the gallbladder, to help digest fats, while the pancreas releases digestive enzymes and substances that neutralize stomach acid.

The remaining material moves into the large intestine, where water and mineral salts are absorbed before the waste is formed into feces. Trillions of microorganisms living in the colon, known as the gut microbiota, help digest certain food components, produce some vitamins and support the immune system. Finally, waste is stored in the rectum until it leaves the body through the anus.

Besides processing food, the digestive system plays an important role in maintaining the body's balance by supplying nutrients, recovering water and interacting closely with hormones, the nervous system and the immune system. A balanced diet rich in fiber, sufficient water intake and regular physical activity all contribute to healthy digestion.