DIGESTIONHOW YOUR BODY USESFOOD!

DIGESTION

• The process of breaking down food into usable nutrients.

• Takes place in digestion system• The digestive tract begins at the mouth and

continues through the esophagus and intestines to the anus.

• Along this course food is broken down and nutrients are extracted, while waste materials are released.

DIGESTION

• As soon as food is ingested, food embarks on a journey which can take up to 24 hours.

• It covers a distance of 30 feet (9m), through various muscular tubes and chambers.

• It usually takes the average person 4-8 hours to excrete waste

DIGESTION

MORE SPECIFICALLY: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

DIGESTIONTHE CYCLE

START --- Mouth --- throat (pharynx) --- travels through the food tube (esophagus) --- stomach --- small intestine --- large intestine --- anus… END

• In the small intestine, chemical digestion breaks down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed by the blood stream.

• The large intestine, is where food that cannot be digested is stored as feces and then is eliminated through the anus.

DIGESTIONLABEL THE DIAGRAM

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

MOUTH-saliva is the first of many

digestive juices that act on food breakdown

-teeth grind into pieces-chewing food well is

important-chew solid food so that it

reaches the consistency of applesauce.

mouth

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

ESOPHAGUS-tube connecting mouth

to stomach-once food swallowed, it

passes into esophagus-tube contracts and

relaxes, creates wave like movements that force food into stomach

Esophagus

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

LIVER-large organ that

processes absorbed nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and produces bile- is a bitter yellowish, blue and green fluid secreted by the liver. It is required for digestion, specifically fat.

LIVER

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

STOMACH-j-shaped muscular bag that

churns, digests, and stores food.

-can hold 1 L of food (4C)-stomach manufactures

gastric juices-food breakdown

-churned until food turns into a thick liquid called chyme

-carbs=2-3 hours-proteins=3-5 hours-fats=7 hours

STOMACH

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

GALLBLADDER -stores bile produces

by liver.

GALLBLADDER

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

PANCREAS- secretes digestive

enzymes, which pour along a duct into first part of small intestine.

- Enzymes are the “workers” of the body, they do all the “work” in the body and cells.

PANCREAS

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

SMALL INTESTINE-the major site of

digestion and absorption of nutrients.

-chyme is released into small intestine

-chyme acts on 3 digestive juices

SMALL INTESTINE

SMALL INTESTINE

• BILE- helps your body digest and absorb fats. Produced in liver, stored in gallbladder.

• PANCREATIC JUICE-contains enzymes that help break down carbs, proteins and fats. Produced by pancreas

• INTESTINAL JUICE- works with other juices to break down food. Produced in small intestine

SMALL INTESTINE

• When fully broken down, carbohydrates are converted to a simple sugar called glucose.

• This is the body’s basic fuel supply• Fats are changed into fatty acids

• If too many fats are eaten, the body stores the extra fat

• This can result in weight gain/insulation for the body

• Proteins are broken down to amino acids• Vitamins, minerals and water do not need break

down, they are ready for action.

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

LARGE INTESTINE-Absorbs water from

food residue, and forms and stores feces.

LARGE INTESTINE

THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS

RECTUM- stores waste

matter until it can be excreted conveniently.

RECTUM

USING NUTRIENTS

• Once food is broken down into nutrients, digestion is complete

• Your body still must absorb the nutrients and take them to where they can be used or stored

ABSORPTION

• After digestion, nutrients are absorbed in blood stream.

• Most absorption takes place in small intestine

• Some waste mineral, including fiber, is left in small intestine-where its transferred to large intestine (colon).

• Colon removes water, potassium and sodium from waste. The rest is stored there until eliminated.

PROCESSING AND STORING NUTRIENTS

• After nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine, they are carried through a blood vessel, to the liver.

• Liver turns nutrients into forms the body can use

For example: amino acids proteins, which are then carried into the blood whenever needed

PROCESSING AND STORING NUTRIENTS

• If not needed immediately, nutrients are stored for future use.

For example, extra glucose is converted by the liver into glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscles. If storage is maxed out, remaining glycogen is converted into body fat

Also, extra fatty acids and amino acids are converted into fats.

HOW OUR BODIES USE ENERGY?

• Automatic processes- breathing, digesting food, creating new cells, resting, sleeping etc

• Used minimum amounts of energy basal metabolism

• Physical activities- work and exercise. The more active you are, the more energy you use.

HOW OUR BODIES USE ENERGY?

• 2/3 of calories used by the body are for basal metabolism

• This varies-depends on age, body size, body composition

• There are a few foods that the body has a hard time digesting– for good and bad reasons– take a look!

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

10. Sugar-free gum

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

9. Beans-but keeps you full longer!

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

8. Broccoli and raw cabbage

(fiber and nutrient filled veggies)

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

7. Ice cream-your body doesn’t know what to take from this to use…it leaves your body guessing!

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

6. Raw Onion- (garlic, leeks and shallots)

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

5. Mashed Potatoes

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

4. Citrus juices

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

3. Chocolate

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

2. Spicy Food

TOUGH FOOD TO DIGEST(TOP 10)

1. Fried Chicken Nuggets