What is meant by digestion? (2024)

FAQs

What does digestion mean short answer? ›

Digestion is defined as the process of breaking down large, insoluble molecules of food into smaller, water-soluble molecules which can then be readily absorbed by the body. Digestion is one among many life processes observed in nearly all living organisms.

As food moves through your GI tract, your digestive organs break the food into smaller parts using: motion, such as chewing, squeezing, and mixing. digestive juices, such as stomach acid, bile, and enzymes.

digestion (noun as in digesting) Strongest matches. absorption metabolism. Strong matches. assimilation ingestion.

serving for or pertaining to digestion; having the function of digesting food: the digestive tract.

digest verb (EAT)

(of the body of a living creature) to chemically change food into smaller forms that the body can absorb and use: [ T ] Some people have difficulty digesting milk.

There is no need to be concerned if some food particles remain undigested. However, if the body cannot digest food due to an underlying condition, a doctor will recommend treatment to address the problem. Depending on the cause, they may recommend medication, dietary changes, or surgery.

After you eat, it takes about six to eight hours for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine. Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food. It takes about 36 hours for food to move through the entire colon.

Leaving the stomach

Once the stomach completes its role in the digestive process, its contents slowly pass into a short tube at the base of the stomach. This is called the duodenum. It's the first part of the small intestine.

Why is digestion important? Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. Food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients before the blood absorbs them and carries them to cells throughout the body.

What is another word for bad digestion? ›

Definitions of dyspepsia. noun. a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea. synonyms: agita, indigestion, stomach upset, upset stomach. type of: symptom.

In mammals, digestion involves the intake of food through the mouth where it is chewed between the teeth in a process called mastication. The saliva present in the mouth contains amylase which begins the break down of starch in the food.

The digestive system converts the foods we eat into their simplest forms, like glucose (sugars), amino acids (that make up protein) or fatty acids (that make up fats). The broken-down food is then absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine and the nutrients are carried to each cell in the body.

Digestion is the process of mechanically and enzymatically breaking down food into substances for absorption into the bloodstream. The food contains 3 macronutrients that require digestion before they can be absorbed: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Most foods that enhance digestion are rich in nutrients such as fiber. Examples of fiber-rich foods include vegetables and whole grains. Some people prone to digestive issues may benefit from eating smaller meals, as well as consuming a healthful amount of fiber and avoiding any trigger foods.