digestion

The process of breaking down food into absorbable nutrients through mechanical and enzymatic action.

Begins in the mouth with chewing and salivary amylase acting on starch, continues through the stomach and intestines.

Gastric acid and proteases denature proteins, while bile salts emulsify fats for lipase activity.

Dietary fiber regulates transit time and supports a healthy gut microbiome.

Nutrient absorption occurs primarily in the small intestine through specialized epithelial cells.

The large intestine ferments residual fiber, producing short-chain fatty acids essential for colon health.

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