Where and when does your body digest proteins?

Proteins are primarily digested and broken down in the stomach and small intestine. The process of protein digestion begins in the stomach, where stomach acids and enzymes, such as pepsin, start to break down the protein molecules into smaller peptides.

Once the food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, the pancreas secretes enzymes called pancreatic proteases, including trypsin, chymotrypsin, and elastase. These enzymes further break down the peptides into smaller amino acids and dipeptides.

The small intestine also secretes enzymes called peptidases, which help to break down the dipeptides into individual amino acids. These amino acids are then absorbed by the intestinal cells and transported throughout the body.