{"id":19792,"date":"2020-06-29T18:40:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-29T18:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=19792"},"modified":"2021-12-16T20:09:15","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T20:09:15","slug":"how-digestion-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/","title":{"rendered":"Here&#8217;s How Digestion Works &#038; How to Improve Yours"},"content":{"rendered":"<em>Curious about how digestion works? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/author\/jessica-kelley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jessica Bippen, MS, RD<\/a>, explains the three phases of digestion and tips on how to improve digestive health.<\/em>\n\nEverything you ingest runs through your digestive system, and proper digestion is imperative for your overall health. How well it functions determines how well you break down your food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. Plus, when your digestive system is working properly, you simply feel better! After all, no one likes to feel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestive-enzymes-to-stop-feeling-bloated\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">gassy, bloated, or constipated<\/a>.\n\nThat said, when\u2019s the last time you learned about the digestive system? High school anatomy? Consider this guide as a helpful refresher.\n\nKeep reading to learn more about the three phases of digestion and how to optimize digestive function.\n<h2>How Digestion Works<\/h2>\nSo, what does the digestive system do? In short, every cell in your body needs energy and nutrients to function. Your digestive system makes it possible!\n\nThe digestive system consists of a group of organs that work together to transform the food you eat into the energy and nutrients your body needs.\n\nWhen you consume food and beverages, your digestive system gets to work by breaking them down into carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The bloodstream then absorbs these basic nutrients, carrying them to every cell throughout the body. Finally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/benefits-of-soluble-fiber-vs-insoluble-fiber\/\">fiber<\/a> and other components lingering in your digestive system are excreted as waste.\n\n<img data-dominant-color=\"865e47\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #865e47;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-19828 size-full not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Phases-of-Digestion-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\" alt=\"Couple eating sushi to illustrate the first cephalic phase of digestion\" width=\"770\" height=\"514\">\n<h2>Why Proper Digestion Is Important<\/h2>\nA properly functioning digestive system allows you to utilize all the essential nutrients your cells need for growth, repair, and carrying out the essential roles that keep you alive.\n\nEverything in your body\u2014including your hormones, heart, and brain\u2014needs the nutrients from the digestive process to work correctly.\n\nWhen your digestive system isn\u2019t functioning optimally, you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-is-leaky-gut\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">unable to properly digest and absorb vital nutrients<\/a>. Ensuing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4253991\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">side effects of poor digestion<\/a> include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/why-do-we-fart\/\">gas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/best-foods-for-bloating\/\">bloating<\/a>, constipation, diarrhea, and even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/reasons-to-take-supplements\/\">nutrient deficiencies<\/a>.\n<h2>3 Phases of Digestion<\/h2>\nDigestion can feel like a daunting topic to dive into. We get it! The number of organs and chemical and physical processes involved can make your head spin. But <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/types-of-rest\/\">rest<\/a> assured that it\u2019s much easier to understand how digestion works by looking at the phases of digestion.\n\nThe three phases of digestion are the cephalic, gastric, and intestinal phases. Respectively, they occur in the mouth, stomach, and intestines.\n\nThe liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are also included in the digestive system. However, they&#8217;re considered complementary organs. While food doesn\u2019t directly move through them, they produce chemicals that allow digestion to occur. It\u2019s essential that these organs work properly to support optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.\n\nLet\u2019s take a closer look at each of these phases.\n\n<img data-dominant-color=\"807e75\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #807e75;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19827 aligncenter not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-Digestion-Is-Important-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\" alt=\"Man taking a bite of an apple to illustrate how digestion works and the importance of chewing for digestive health\" width=\"770\" height=\"514\">\n<h3>1. Cephalic Phase<\/h3>\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/medicine-and-dentistry\/cephalic-phase\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cephalic phase<\/a>, aka the first phase of digestion, starts in the mouth. Its main role is to break down food into smaller pieces and initiate the breakdown of carbohydrates.\n\nThis phase starts with the sight, smell, thought, or taste of food to stimulate the body to produce saliva. Once the food enters the mouth, chewing breaks down starchy foods into carbohydrates. Found in saliva, the enzyme <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22759313\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">amylase begins to digest starch molecules<\/a>&nbsp;in the food. The food particles then make their way to the stomach via the esophagus.\n<h3>2. Gastric Phase<\/h3>\nDigestion really gets going once the chewed food reaches your stomach. The majority of digestion in the gastric phase <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/human-digestive-system\/Gastric-secretion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">takes place in the stomach and breaks down protein<\/a>. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid, which starts to uncoil the compact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/why-do-we-need-protein\/\">protein<\/a> molecules so other digestive enzymes, like pepsin, can assist in breaking down the protein even further.\n\nEnzymes aren\u2019t the only players involved in the gastric phase of digestion. In addition, your stomach muscles play an active role in the digestive process. The muscles in the wall of the stomach contract and release to help mix the food together with gastric juices before it moves on to the small intestine.\n<h3>3. Intestinal Phase<\/h3>\nThe majority of digestion occurs in the small intestines during the intestinal phase of digestion. This third phase includes carbohydrate and fat digestion, as well as the remainder of protein digestion.\n\nYour pancreas secretes a bicarbonate buffer into the small intestine to reduce the acidity of the food mixed with hydrochloric acid coming from your stomach. Once neutralized, <a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/chapter\/15-4-digestive-system-regulation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the pancreas and liver release digestive enzymes and bile<\/a> specific to breaking down starches, sugars, fats, and protein peptides.\n\nLike those of the stomach, the muscles that line the wall of the small intestine contract to mix the food particles with the enzymes and digestive secretions. This propulsion pushes the food towards the large intestine. Along the way, the walls of the small intestine absorb the nutrients from the digested food and deliver them into the bloodstream. From there, the blood carries the nutrients to cells throughout the body.\n\nFinally, the food that isn&#8217;t broken down and absorbed until now moves into the large intestines. The large intestine does the last bit of absorption, trying to retain any water or remaining nutrients before elimination.\n\n<img data-dominant-color=\"9e9795\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9e9795;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19829 aligncenter not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Intestinal-Phase-of-Digestion-How-Digestion-Works-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\" alt=\"Woman on toilet with the concept of the final intestinal phase of digestion\" width=\"770\" height=\"494\">\n<h2><span style=\"color: inherit; font-family: 'NeutraFace Display', sans-serif; font-size: 1.333rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.024rem; text-transform: uppercase;\">How to Improve Digestion<\/span><\/h2>\nSure, it\u2019s important to understand how digestion works to break down the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/easy-healthy-breakfast-ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">avocado toast<\/a> you just ate. But it\u2019s even more essential to know how to actually improve digestion.\n\nTry incorporating these tips to support each phase of digestion.\n<h3>Eat mindfully<\/h3>\nHave you ever rushed through a meal to find yourself burping or hiccuping shortly after? Chances are you didn\u2019t give your digestive system enough time to do its job effectively. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-is-mindful-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mindful eating means slowing down<\/a> and taking the time to chew your food thoroughly.\n\nWhen you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-many-times-are-you-supposed-to-chew-your-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chew your food<\/a> into smaller pieces, it\u2019s easier for your digestive tract to handle. It also permits the chemical processes to take place that help break down carbohydrates and activate other enzymes before moving onto the gastric and intestinal phase of digestion.\n<h3>Don\u2019t chug water with meals<\/h3>\nHydration is extremely important for digestion. However, chugging water during your meal can have the opposite effect. Water can dilute your gastric juices, which are key for breaking down food in the stomach.\n\nBy no means do you need to avoid all water or liquids at mealtime. That said, you may notice a difference in how well your digestive system functions by saving most of your water consumption in between meals.\n<h3>Supplement with digestive enzymes<\/h3>\nLastly, many factors including genetics, environment, and age impact your ability to produce enough of the right digestive enzymes. And sometimes your digestive system needs a little help! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/best-digestive-enzymes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digestive enzymes<\/a> are your secret weapon.\n\nI recommend taking a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/23\/flatter-me\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">full-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement<\/a> before your meals to support your body\u2019s natural digestion process.\n<div  class=\"products-block -mx-4 md:mx-0 my-10\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/23\/flatter-me\" class=\"text-xs text-dark hover:!text-dark flex items-center border border-light rounded p-4 group !no-underline mb-4 relative pb-16 sm:pb-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"shrink-0 mr-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.humnutrition.com\/assets\/9eb7ccd0-7ec8-11f0-9a79-07ea27649491.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" class=\"object-cover transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-80 !mb-0\" alt=\"Flatter Me\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grow pr-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-2 flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center divide-x-0 sm:divide-x divide-light text-sm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-1 pr-2 flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex mr-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m8.713 3 1.54 3.61 3.46.58L11.207 10l.588 4-3.082-1.878zm4.555 7.253 3.157-3.193c.288-.269.354-.663.288-1.06-.164-.324-.467-.587-.828-.64l-4.353-.663L9.584.562A.965.965 0 0 0 8.713 0a.965.965 0 0 0-.871.562L5.89 4.697l-4.35.663c-.363.053-.665.316-.827.64-.067.397 0 .791.287 1.06l3.157 3.193-.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 0 .388.978c.3.188.697.25 1.024.072l3.889-2.14 3.888 2.14c.324.178.721.116 1.021-.072a1.01 1.01 0 0 0 .391-.978z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4.5\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-1 sm:pl-2 text-medium\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2854 Reviews\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-base font-semibold mb-1 group-hover:text-primary\">Flatter Me<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclinically studied to debloat in 30 minutes\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute bottom-4 left-4 right-4 sm:bottom-0 sm:left-0 sm:right-0 sm:relative inline-flex justify-center bg-primary group-hover:bg-primary-light text-white rounded py-3 px-12 leading-none text-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pr-1.5 border-r border-primary-lightest\">$27<\/span><span class=\"pl-1.5\">SHOP NOW<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"self-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Curious about how digestion works? Jessica Bippen, MS, RD, explains the three phases of digestion and tips on how to improve digestive health. Everything you ingest runs through your digestive system, and proper digestion is imperative for your overall health. How well it functions determines how well you break down your food, absorb nutrients, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":19830,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_toc_level":"h2","_toc_min":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[813,816],"tags":[299,263],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-19792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body","category-digestion","tag-digestive-enzymes","tag-digestive-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Here&#039;s How Digestion Works &amp; How to Improve Yours | HUM Nutrition Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ever wonder how digestion works? An RD details the three phases of digestion and how to improve yours to avoid bloating, gas, and discomfort.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Here&#039;s How Digestion Works &amp; How to Improve Yours\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ever wonder how digestion works? An RD details the three phases of digestion and how to improve yours to avoid bloating, gas, and discomfort.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HUM Nutrition Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/humnutrition\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-06-29T18:40:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-12-16T20:09:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-Digestion-Works-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"670\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jessica Bippen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@nourishedbynutr\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@HUMnutrition\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jessica Bippen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jessica Bippen\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/4a6d9c229990f8a2dc1a54f2fa0f1d75\"},\"headline\":\"Here&#8217;s How Digestion Works &#038; How to Improve Yours\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-06-29T18:40:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-12-16T20:09:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\"},\"wordCount\":1116,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-Digestion-Works-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition-jpg.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"Digestive Enzymes\",\"Digestive Health\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Body\",\"Digestion\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\",\"name\":\"Here's How Digestion Works & How to Improve Yours | HUM Nutrition Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-Digestion-Works-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition-jpg.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-06-29T18:40:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-12-16T20:09:15+00:00\",\"description\":\"Ever wonder how digestion works? 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