Digestive system

The digestive system is the group of organs that turns the food we eat into energy and nutrients that the body needs. Every time we eat, this system works like a food factory—breaking down what we swallow, taking what is useful, and removing what the body does not need. The process of digestion begins even before swallowing, as the smell and sight of food start preparing the body to eat.

Digestion starts in the mouth, where teeth chew food into smaller pieces. Saliva mixes with food to make it soft and easier to swallow. It also contains special chemicals called enzymes that begin breaking down starches. The food then moves through the esophagus, a long tube that pushes it down into the stomach.

Inside the stomach, strong muscles and digestive juices work together to mix and mash the food. The stomach acids break down proteins and kill germs that might have come with the food. After spending a few hours in the stomach, the partly digested food moves into the small intestine. This is where most digestion and nutrient absorption happen. The liver and pancreas send helpful juices that break down fats, proteins, and sugars even further.

The small intestine has tiny finger-like structures called villi that absorb nutrients into the blood. These nutrients travel through the bloodstream to every part of the body, giving energy for movement, growth, and repair. Once most nutrients are taken, the remaining waste moves to the large intestine, where water is absorbed and the leftover material becomes solid waste (feces).

The digestive system works together with other systems, like the circulatory system, which carries nutrients, and the nervous system, which controls hunger and signals when to eat or stop. Digestion usually takes several hours from the time food is eaten until waste leaves the body.

Taking care of the digestive system is important for health. Eating a balanced diet with fiber, drinking enough water, and exercising regularly help keep the system running smoothly. Avoiding too much junk food and eating slowly can also help digestion. A healthy digestive system gives the body the fuel it needs to grow strong and stay active every day.