What is the most important function of the digestive system

The mouth and oesophagus

Digestion begins in the mouth. The food is ground up by the teeth and moistened with saliva to make it easy to swallow. Saliva also has a special chemical, called an enzyme, which starts breaking down carbohydrates into sugars. Once swallowed, muscular contractions of the oesophagus massage the ball of food down into the stomach.

The stomach

The food passes through a sphincter, or small muscle ring, into the stomach. Here it is mixed with gastric juices. The stomach is a muscular bag and it churns the food to help break it down mechanically as well as chemically. The food is then squeezed through a second sphincter into the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

The small intestine

Once in the duodenum, the food is mixed with more digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Food is then squeezed into the lower parts of the small intestine, called the jejunum and the ileum. Nutrients are absorbed from the ileum, which is lined with millions of finger-like projections called villi. Each villus is connected to a mesh of capillaries. This is how nutrients pass into the bloodstream.

Pancreas

The pancreas is one of the largest glands in the human body. As well as digestive juices, it secretes a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. Diabetes is a condition caused by problems with insulin production.

Liver

The liver has a number of different roles in the body, including:

• breaking down fats, using bile stored in the gall bladder
• processing proteins and carbohydrates
• filtering and processing impurities, drugs and toxins
• generation of glucose for short-term energy needs from other compounds like lactate and amino acids.

The large intestine

Once all the nutrients have been absorbed, the waste is moved into the large intestine, or bowel. Water is removed and the waste (faeces) is stored in the rectum. It can then be passed out of the body through the anus.

Common problems in the digestive system

Some common problems include:

• colitis – inflammation of the bowel
• diverticulitis – inflammation of pouches lining the small intestine
• gastroenteritis – an infection that causes vomiting and diarrhoea
• heartburn – when the contents of the stomach back up into the oesophagus
• ulcer – a hole in the mucous membrane lining the stomach or duodenum.

Where to get help

Things to remember

• Food is broken down by the digestive system to give energy to every cell in the body.
• The digestive tract starts at the mouth and ends at the anus.

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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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The digestive system is made of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. It is responsible for breaking down foods and liquids into their basic chemical components like fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The body then absorbs them as nutrients, which can be used as energy to build and repair cells and help you function.

The role of the digestive system begins when food enters the body and passes through the esophagus and the stomach where digestion starts. The small intestine then breaks down the food to absorb nutrients and sends it into the bloodstream. The remaining food turns into liquid and moves into your large intestine. The wall of the large intestine soaks up the water while the remaining undigested food is excreted.

Why is Digestive Health Important?

The digestive system plays a major role in your overall health as it brings nutrients to your body. Without good digestive health, you will experience a host of uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, and more. Additionally, you may also get a lack of proper nutrition from the food you eat, which can negatively impact your health and wellbeing. This is why digestive health is so important.

So, how do you keep your digestive system healthy? Here’s how to improve digestive function and steps you can take to improve your health:

Drink Plenty of Water

The digestive system needs to be well-hydrated to function well. Make sure to drink enough water according to your weight and physical activity level. Without good hydration, you may suffer from constipation, dehydration, and a host of unwanted symptoms. For good digestive health, make sure to drink enough water every day.

Eat Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Eating fresh vegetables and fruits is a great way to get nutrients and natural enzymes that can aid overall digestive health and function. A balanced diet full of healthy fruits and vegetables can help improve the way your digestive system works. It is best to eat them fresh and uncooked whenever possible.

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners and Processed Foods

Avoid eating chemical-laden and processed foods and start eating natural foods. Chemical food additives, artificial sweeteners, and food preservatives can interfere and affect the digestive process. Your body wasn’t designed to eat such foods. Eating healthy and fresh foods can help your digestive health stay in great shape.

See a Gastroenterologist Regularly

One of the best things you can do to improve your digestive health is to visit a gastroenterologist on a regular basis. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint something is wrong on your own. A gastroenterologist can assess if you have unusual symptoms and recommend lifestyle changes as well as medications that can help improve your health.

Gastroenterologist in Central Texas

Austin Gastroenterology is the largest physician group in Central Texas. We specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of all types of gastrointestinal diseases. If you want to receive the best care available from physicians who are board-certified, contact us today.

Schedule an appointment by calling the office location most convenient to you. You can also request an appointment online.