The digestive system: from mouth to intestine

In short: Digestion breaks food down into building blocks the body can absorb. It begins in the mouth and ends in the rectum.

In more detail: The digestive tract is about eight to nine metres long.

In detail

• Mouth: Chewing and saliva with enzymes begin the digestion of starch.
• Oesophagus: Transports the bite by muscle waves to the stomach.
• Stomach: Stomach acid and enzymes break down protein; the food pulp stays a few hours.
• Small intestine: Most nutrients are absorbed into the blood here; bile and pancreas help.
• Large intestine: Extracts water and hosts gut bacteria.
• Gut flora (microbiome): Trillions of microorganisms support digestion and the immune system (immunsystem-grundlagen).
• Fibre: Promotes bowel activity.
• Complaints: Persistent pain, blood in stool or severe weight loss should be medically checked (trinken-und-fluessigkeitsbedarf).