The digestive system is quite interesting and complex. Each phase of digestion is dependent on the phase before it working properly. The proper completion of each phase of digestion has critical consequences for both organs depending on the nutrients from the foods digested and the organs which are responsible for digesting the foods. Oddly enough, digestion begins with the eyes and nose, which bring “saliva”. “Saliva”, which comes from the “salivary gland” located in the head, contains acids that begin the breakdown process and aid in the swallowing of food. Our teeth then chop the food into pieces while our tongue moves the food around allowing all of the food to become wet and chopped (if chewing properly). The food is now called a “bolus” which is the swallowed by the “Pharynx” and enters the “esophagus” the soft tube between throat and stomach.

Once the food is in the stomach acids dissolve the food into less of a solid called “chyme”. Up to six hours later, the “chyme” moves into the “small intestine” where it is broken down more. The liver creates “bile” and stores it in the gallbladder. The gallbladder dumps “bile” into the small intestine to breakdown and use fats. The “pancreas” dumps enzymes and “bicarbonate” to breakdown and absorb nutrients. What is left of the liquid food is taken to the “large intestine”. There is a retracting muscle in the doorway to the large intestine called a “Sphincter”. Its job is to keep the fluid in the large intestine where it is further absorbed by the “colon”. A solid is formed when moved into the “rectum. This solid then is called “feces” and is expelled out of an opening called an “anus”. The anus also has sphincter muscles.

This leads to the understanding that the amount of nutrients, liquids, and fats absorbed into our bodies during the process of digestion depends on our choice of foods and our chewing habits. Strange though it may be, our chewing habits can either hinder or aid our internal organs’ health. Organs such as the heart and thyroid glands depend on our chewing to bring nutrients needed to complete functions vital to our life. If the Bolus is too big, the break down process may be hindered resulting in less nutrients being absorbed, while adding digestive track problems such as constipation when the chyme enters our rectum. Our food choices determine the amount of nutrients introduced to the small intestine for use in our bodies. So, good health begins with two choices. What to eat and how to eat it.  

Human Digestion: Interaction. (N.D.) March 10, 2009, from http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/axia/sci241/sci241-digestivetract.html