Gut Basics
Continue your learning journey
2
of 10
20% Complete
~5 min
Learning Card
The Digestive Journey: Overview
Digestion is a 25-30 foot journey that typically takes 24-72 hours from eating to elimination. Here's the route:
1. Mouth (seconds)
- Mechanical breakdown (chewing)
- Chemical breakdown begins (saliva enzymes)
2. Esophagus (10 seconds)
- Transport tube to stomach
- Muscular contractions move food down
3. Stomach (2-4 hours)
- Acid and enzyme secretion
- Protein breakdown begins
4. Small Intestine (4-6 hours)
- Primary nutrient absorption site
- 20+ feet long
5. Large Intestine (10-24 hours)
- Water absorption
- Bacterial fermentation
- Waste formation
6. Rectum & Elimination
- Storage and controlled release
Each section has a specific job, and problems can occur at any stage.
←
Previous
→
Next