Understand the function and anatomy of the human digestive system

Food is processed and distributed throughout the body by the digestive system. Every organ, duct and gland in the human digestive system works to convert large food particles into much smaller nutrients.

The digestive process does not start from the stomach, but the mouth. In addition, there are also what are called the digestive glands and various digestive enzymes. And indeed, there are tons of amazing facts about your digestion.

What is the digestive system?

The digestive system, or gastrointestinal system, consists of the digestive organs which are divided into two main groups, namely the organs in the digestive tract and the digestive organs of the appendages.

The digestive tract, also known as the gastrointestinal tract, is a tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. This channel functions to digest, break down, and absorb food nutrients to be sent through the bloodstream.

The organs of the digestive tract include the mouth, esophagus (esophagus), stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Meanwhile, the complementary digestive organs are the mouth, gall bladder, salivary glands, liver, and pancreas.

The work of the human digestive system is controlled by the nervous, circulatory and various hormones. In addition, the digestive process is also assisted by trillions of beneficial bacteria in the intestines called flora or microbiome.

Each organ of the digestive system helps move the food and fluids you consume in a specific order. As long as it is in the digestive tract, all food and liquid will be broken down into very small forms.

The small digestive products are then absorbed and distributed throughout the body through the circulatory system. Meanwhile, food waste that no longer contains nutrients will be excreted in the form of feces.

Why is the human digestive system important?

Digestion is very important because the body needs nutrients from food and fluids from drinks to stay healthy and function normally. Nutrients are also needed for energy formation, growth and tissue repair.

The food you consume will be broken down into two kinds of nutrients. There are macro nutrients (macronutrients) that are needed in large quantities, as well as micronutrients (micronutrients) that are needed in small amounts.

Macro nutrients consist of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates have the main function as a source of energy, protein as a builder of body tissues, while fat is an energy reserve and protector of body organs.

On the other hand, nutrients that include micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Even though they are needed in small amounts, micronutrients play a major role in energy production, immune system, growth, fluid balance, and much more.

Digestive order in humans

The following are the organs that make up the human digestive system and their functions.

1. Mouth

The digestive process begins in the mouth, where mechanical and chemical digestion takes place. The mouth functions to chew food so that it is easier to digest. In it there are complementary organs, namely the tongue, teeth and salivary glands.

Gigi cuts food into small pieces. Small pieces of food are then moistened with saliva before the tongue and other muscles push the food into the pharynx and then into the esophagus.

The outer part of the tongue consists of papillae, which are projections that grip food and recognize taste. Meanwhile, the salivary glands, which are located under the tongue and near the lower jaw, produce saliva into the mouth.

Saliva plays an important role in breaking down food, moisturizing it, and making it easier to swallow. Saliva also breaks down carbohydrates with one of the most important digestive enzymes for humans, namely the enzyme ptialin / amylase.

The movement of the tongue and mouth pushes food down the back of the throat. At the junction between the throat and esophagus, there is a valve called the epiglottis which prevents food from entering the respiratory system.

2. Esophagus (esophagus)

The esophagus (esophagus) is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This channel is the way for the chewed food from the mouth to the next digestion process in the stomach.

The muscles of the esophagus move food by peristalsis. It is a collection of muscle contractions and relaxation that creates a wave-like motion that pushes food into the stomach.

At the end of the esophagus are the sphincters, or ring-shaped muscles. These muscles allow food to enter the stomach and then close it to prevent food and fluids from rising back up into the esophagus.

3. Stomach

The stomach is a "J" shaped organ about two fists. The stomach is located between the esophagus and small intestine in the upper stomach.

The stomach has three main functions in the human digestive system. Its function is to store ingested food and liquid, mix the food and digestive juices it produces, and slowly empty its contents into the small intestine.

Only certain substances that can be absorbed directly by the stomach. Meanwhile, the nutrients from food must undergo a decomposition process first. The muscular walls of the stomach perform this process by mixing and churning food together with acids and enzymes.

The food is processed into small portions in a semi-solid form called kim. After the digestion process is complete, the kim will be released gradually through the ring-shaped muscles called the pyloric sphincter.

The pyloric sphincter is located on the border between the lower stomach and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum (duodenum). Most new foods leave the stomach for up to four hours after eating.

4. Small intestine

The small intestine is a small duct 2.5 cm wide and about 10 meters long. The small intestine consists of three parts, namely the duodenum (duodenum), jejunum (empty intestine), and ileum (absorption intestine).

The inner wall of the small intestine is full of protrusions and folds. The function of the small intestine folds is to maximize digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. When food leaves the small intestine, about 90 percent of the nutrients have been absorbed for circulation by the blood.

The following is the process that occurs in the intestines in the human digestive system.

• The process of breaking down the food into its smaller form is finished here. Glands in the intestinal wall secrete enzymes that break down starches and sugars.
• The pancreas secretes enzymes into the small intestine that help break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps dissolve fat so that it can be absorbed by the body.
• The small intestine absorbs nutrients from the digestive process. The inner walls of the small intestine are covered by protrusions called villi. These protrusions increase the surface area of ​​the small intestine massively so that the absorption of nutrients is maximized.

5. Large intestine

The large intestine forms an inverted "U" around the small folded intestine. This channel starts from the lower right side of the body and ends at the lower left side. The large intestine is about 5-6 meters long and consists of three parts, namely the cecum, colon and rectum.

The cecum is a sac at the beginning of the large intestine. This area channels the digestive products of food that has been absorbed from the small intestine to the large intestine. The colon is where fluids and salts are absorbed and extend from the cecum to the rectum.

The main function of the large intestine is to remove water and electrolyte minerals from undigested food waste, then form solid waste that can be excreted. The bacteria in the large intestine help break down the undigested material.

6. Rectum and anus

The remaining contents of the large intestine that have become feces are then channeled towards the rectum. The rectum is the end of the large intestine which serves as a temporary reservoir for stool before it is removed from the body.

When the rectum is full, the muscles around it will be stimulated to pass feces. This is what makes you feel heartburn and want to defecate. The stool will later be passed through the anus.

The anus is the last part of the digestive tract which is directly adjacent to the outside environment. The function of the anus is none other than the place for feces to come out. The muscles can contract under your control to regulate the passage of stool.

How to maintain a healthy digestive system

The gastrointestinal system must be able to work properly so that the body can function normally. Not only that, a healthy digestive system will also help maintain your overall health.

This of course is everyone's dream. However, it is undeniable that wrong food habits can cause problems in the digestive system. In order to prevent disturbances in the digestive process, you can apply the following tips.

1. Eat lots of fiber

Fiber is a nutrient that must be fulfilled every day. Meeting the daily fiber needs of 25 grams per day can make your digestive system work more smoothly.

Adequate fiber intake can prevent you from digestive problems such as constipation, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids), to irritable bowel syndrome. By eating more fiber, you can also maintain a healthy weight.

The best sources of fiber are vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Make sure these ingredients are not missed from your daily menu, either in the form of main meals or snacks.

2. Consuming probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria that are similar to natural bacteria in the gastrointestinal system. The presence of probiotics in the intestine can help the body fight bad bacteria, increase nutrient absorption, and boost the immune system.

In other words, consuming probiotic foods can improve your digestive health. You can get probiotics from fermented foods, such as tempeh, yogurt, oncom, kimchi, and many more.

3. Limit consumption of fat

Fat is a useful nutrient, but the digestion process of fat takes longer than other nutrients. Foods high in fat are usually also quick to provide a feeling of fullness so that it can make the stomach feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, be wise in choosing your fat intake and you should limit your daily fat consumption. It doesn't matter if you like fried foods, but alternate it with baked goods, sauteed, boiled, or steamed.

4. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water can help the human digestive system in carrying out its functions. The fluids in the digestive system can help break down fat and soluble fiber so that the body can digest them more easily.

Adequate fluid intake, plus consumption of fiber, can also facilitate bowel movements and prevent constipation. This is because the fibers make the stool texture quite dense, but water compensates for this by making the stool soft.

5. Do not sleep after eating

The body can digest food smoothly in an upright position. Lying down, especially sleeping after eating while your body is digesting food, can actually cause problems in your digestive system.

If you feel sleepy and want to sleep after eating, wait at least 2-3 hours beforehand. This is the average time it takes your digestive system to break down your food.

6. Actively moving

Did you know, activities that make the body active in fact help the function of the stomach, small intestine and large intestine. This is the reason why the digestive systems of people who regularly exercise are usually smoother than people who sit more often.

So, try doing light exercise like walking or jogging at least 30 minutes a day. This habit can not only improve the movement of food in the intestines, but also reduce the risk of various digestive problems.

However, don't forget to pay attention to when you exercise. Don't exercise right after you eat, as this can make your stomach crumple or feel uncomfortable. Instead, start exercising before eating or one hour before eating.

7. Manage stress well

Stress hormones greatly affect bodily functions, and the gastrointestinal system is no exception. You may not be able to completely avoid stress, but you can find ways to manage stress properly so that its effects can be controlled.

Try doing activities that make you feel happy. When stress strikes, take a moment away from the stressors around you. Use breathing or relaxation techniques to ward off bad feelings.

The human digestive system consists of various organs of the digestive tract and complementary organs. Each component works among each other to break down food and break it down into nutrients before being circulated by the blood.

Like any other body system, your digestive system is not free from distraction. Therefore, always do habits that are beneficial to your digestion and consume more foods that help maintain their health.