Table of contents:
- Protein at a glance
- The process of digesting protein from mouth to stomach
- 1. Starting from the mouth
- 2. Digested into a smaller form in the stomach
- 3. Protein is readily absorbed in the small intestine
- Other body parts also take part in digesting protein
He said, protein is good for muscles, it can even make muscles big and shaped if accompanied by regular exercise. Not only that, protein is also touted as a body building substance that can repair damaged cells. Therefore, people who are sick need more protein. So, how exactly can this protein be digested and absorbed by muscles to the cells in the body? Come on, understand the process of digesting protein from mouth to absorption in body tissues!
Protein at a glance
Protein is one of a number of important nutrients that contribute various benefits to the body. Starting from contributing energy, building cells and body tissues, repairing damaged cells and tissues, boosting the immune system, and helping to maintain fluid balance.
Protein sources are divided into two, namely from animals (animal) and plants (vegetable). You can get sources of animal protein by eating red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Meanwhile, vegetable protein sources can be easily obtained from nuts, wheat, seeds, tempeh, tofu, broccoli, and others.
The process of digesting protein from mouth to stomach
Maybe you have been wondering how protein can make big muscles or how these nutrients repair damaged cells. So, to better understand, let's look at the following flow of protein digestion.
1. Starting from the mouth
All food that enters the body will first be chewed in the mouth. Likewise with foods that contain protein. The goal is to produce smaller and smoother forms of food so as to facilitate the digestive process.
2. Digested into a smaller form in the stomach
After the texture of the food is completely crushed and smooth, the food will be swallowed and then entered into the digestive system in the stomach. Here, the stomach begins to do its job by creating an acidic atmosphere which activates the protease enzyme.
The protein contained in food will be converted by the protease enzyme into smaller forms, namely amino acids. It doesn't stop there, the pepsin enzyme as one of the main protease enzymes will also change the protein into smaller sizes, which are called peptides.
3. Protein is readily absorbed in the small intestine
When the task in the stomach has been completed, amino acids will then enter the small intestine, which is located between the stomach and large intestine. At the same time, the pancreas will release the enzyme bicarbonate, which is responsible for neutralizing acid particles that may be carried from the stomach.
Even though they have been broken down into smaller pieces, amino acids and peptides still cannot be absorbed, they must be digested again into simpler forms of substances. Well, this process requires the help of the enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase, in order to break down amino acids and peptides.
Furthermore, this simplest form of protein will be absorbed by the walls of the small intestine. In the wall of the small intestine, there are sections called villi and microvilli that facilitate the absorption of amino acids.
After that, amino acids will enter the bloodstream along with other nutrients which have also been absorbed by the small intestine. Blood flow will pass through all body cells and distribute amino acids to the parts that are needed, including muscle cells.
Other body parts also take part in digesting protein
The process of digestion of protein, of course, does not only rely on the work of the digestive system series. Nerves and hormones in the body also play a role in delivering signals and regulating the work of the digestive organs, in order to carry out their duties according to their function.
Take for example, the hormone gastrin in the stomach will stimulate the cells in it to produce acid. While the secretin hormone plays a role in regulating the production of the enzyme bicarbonate in the pancreas. Likewise, the hormone cholecystokinin, which signals the pancreas to release digestive enzymes, proteins and other nutrients.
On the other hand, the body's nervous system can actually help the process of digesting protein by providing nerve stimulation which signals that food must be processed in the digestive tract. This nerve stimulation will later help move food from one place to another in the digestive system according to its stages.
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