The Stages of Nutrition
Ingestion: This is where we initially eat the food. We put the food in our mouth, and then we begin to chew. And we chew saliva begins to mix with it. And the amylase inside of it begins to break down the food. This is the first stage of digestion.
Digestion: This starts at the throat, when you swallow, the piece of food you just ate is now considered a bolus. The bolus travels to your stomach. Where the next step begins, hydrochloric acid in your stomach begins to break down the food further, before it travels to the small intestine.
Absorption: This begins taking place in the small intestine. This is where the endocrine system secretes yet more bile in order to further break down, and absorbs the nutrients from the food. The circulatory system then distributes it throughout the body.
Elimination: The process of going to the bathroom essentially. What we poop out is what our body had no need for, or could not digest.
Digestion: This starts at the throat, when you swallow, the piece of food you just ate is now considered a bolus. The bolus travels to your stomach. Where the next step begins, hydrochloric acid in your stomach begins to break down the food further, before it travels to the small intestine.
Absorption: This begins taking place in the small intestine. This is where the endocrine system secretes yet more bile in order to further break down, and absorbs the nutrients from the food. The circulatory system then distributes it throughout the body.
Elimination: The process of going to the bathroom essentially. What we poop out is what our body had no need for, or could not digest.
The Nutrients We Get
When we eat, we absorb certain nutrients. These are crucial for our body to ingest. Carbohydrates for example, provide energy. However, they are only a short term fix. They are low in fat, and rich in vitamins. However, simple carbs, such as those from candy, obtain barely any nutrients.
Fats are also quite important. They store energy, and protect our organs from damage. It keeps us warm, and also helps transport nutrients throughout the body.
Vitamins assist with chemical reactions throughout the body. And since these frequently are happening, it is essential that we get a lot of them. Minerals also help us by providing structure to our bones. Which is a vital part to our bodies, and they protect organs, and make red and white blood cells.
Fats are also quite important. They store energy, and protect our organs from damage. It keeps us warm, and also helps transport nutrients throughout the body.
Vitamins assist with chemical reactions throughout the body. And since these frequently are happening, it is essential that we get a lot of them. Minerals also help us by providing structure to our bones. Which is a vital part to our bodies, and they protect organs, and make red and white blood cells.
Okay? So How Does It Happen?
The process of the eating order is actually rather simple. As stated before, the food will enter your esophagus (throat) and it will reach the esophageal sphincter which is like a door of sorts. That will lead to the stomach. Where hydrochloric acids break down the food further. The acids turn it into peptides, which slowly move through the intestines as it is absorbed and administered throughout the body. Villi and micro villi are what collect these nutrients, and are found in the small intestine. Juices and bile from the liver and pancreas, part of the endocrine system, go into the small intestine. And break down the nutrients even further. The large intestine primarily absorbs water. From there, it is expelled from our bodies.