Understanding Digestive Fluids: Their Role in Food Breakdown

Digestive fluids are an important part of the digesting process in the human body. The fluids act to break down food particles so that they can pass through the body easily. These fluids are produced in different parts of the body and have certain jobs during each stage of digestion.

Saliva

• Saliva is considered a digestive fluid and is created from the salivary glands in the mouth. Saliva contains enzymes that aid chemical reactions in the body. In saliva, these enzymes aid in breaking down starches that are found in foods and are an important part of the digestive system.

Stomach

• After food is swallowed, it travels to the stomach where stomach acids and enzymes work to break the food down farther. The stomach is protected by a mucous lining so that the acids do not harm the tissues. The acids and enzymes in the stomach break down the protein in whatever is ingested.

Intestines

• Once the food passes into the intestines, it is dissolved further by digestive fluids and enzymes from both the pancreas and liver. The pancreas produces fluids that travel to the intestine and break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The liver produces bile, which is then stored within the gallbladder before entering the intestines, and contains acids that break down fats.