{"id":38648,"date":"2024-01-08T12:06:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T12:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=38648"},"modified":"2024-01-08T19:07:06","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T19:07:06","slug":"digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/","title":{"rendered":"Digestion Explained! Here&#8217;s How The Tummy Works, Literally"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When we eat food or take a drink, multiple organs will swing into action to help turn that food into energy. These organs are collectively known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31334962\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digestive system<\/a>. They work together to down foods and liquids into their primary nutrient components that are absorbable and usable by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/types-of-rest\/\">rest<\/a> of the body \u2013 think proteins, fats, carbs, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/benefits-of-soluble-fiber-vs-insoluble-fiber\/\">fiber<\/a>, etc. The body relies on these nutrients for powering essential mechanisms including cellular growth and repair. As such, a proper functioning digestive tract is vital for maintaining optimal health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-digestion-works\/\">digestion<\/a> works.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-digestive-tract\">What is the digestive tract?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The digestive tract is made up of numerous organs, which can be categorized into two groups: major organs and accessory organs.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-major-organs-of-the-digestive-system\">Major organs of the digestive system<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>The major organs involved in digestion play a primary role in breaking down foods and liquids into smaller nutrients. Ultimately, the goal is to extract as many nutrients as possible so that the body can use them for energy.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s a list of the major organs involved in digestion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mouth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Esophagus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stomach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small intestine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Large intestine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Additionally, there are several organs that provide secondary support for specific digestive processes. These are called accessory organs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are known as the accessory organs of the digestive system.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>As you can see, the digestive system is more than just the stomach. It\u2019s a group of organs that work harmoniously together to help break down foods and liquids.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-by-step-digestion-process\">Step-by-Step Digestion Process<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Six simple steps explain digestion from start to finish. Each one involves different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8134715\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">major and accessory organs<\/a> and are essential for the complete breakdown of foods and liquids.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-1-chewing\">Step 1: Chewing\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Surprisingly, digestion actually begins in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-the-gums-affect-the-gut\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">mouth<\/a>. In fact, it begins at the moment that you start chewing your food.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Chewing is a form of mechanical digestion. This mechanical process involves the teeth breaking down large food particles into smaller pieces. Simultaneously, saliva is released from the salivary glands to provide amylase, an enzyme that helps kick-start the breakdown of carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>As food is chewed and mixed with saliva, it transforms into a soft mixture called bolus, a finely processed substance primed for easy swallowing.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-2-swallowing-peristalsis\">Step 2: Swallowing &amp; Peristalsis<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>As bolus is swallowed, it moves from the mouth to the esophagus, a muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach. This movement relies on the coordination of various muscles in the mouth and throat, allowing the food bolus to move smoothly downward.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>As the bolus travels down the esophagus, a sphincter located at its upper end acts as a gateway, preventing the entry of air. This helps to guarantee that the esophageal pathway remains exclusively dedicated to the passage of food.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Once in the esophagus, the journey is propelled by a wave-like movement called peristalsis. Essentially, peristalsis pushes the food bolus down the esophagus using rhythmic contractions of the esophageal muscles. This sequential squeezing motion continues until the bolus reaches the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-heartburn\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">lower esophageal sphincter<\/a>, the final gateway to the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-3-mechanical-and-chemical-breakdown\">Step 3: Mechanical and Chemical Breakdown<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Once the food bolus reaches the stomach, it will initiate the release of <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31795477\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gastric juices<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Gastric juices further break down food through chemical digestion. It is termed chemical digestion because the juices consist of hydrochloric acid and enzymes. These juices further break down the bolus into smaller, more absorbable components. As a result, the bolus turns into a more digested semi-liquid substance called chyme.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering, hydrochloric acid is what helps create an optimal acidic environment in the stomach. It also initiates the release of digestive enzymes such as pepsin, an enzyme crucial for the digestion of proteins.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Simultaneously, the stomach engages in mechanical digestion by physically promoting churning and mixing movements via contraction of the stomach muscles. Chemical and mechanical digestion work in tandem to thoroughly break down the chyme and support the exposure of nutrients to the digestive enzymes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-4-nutrient-absorption\">Step 4: Nutrient Absorption<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>After leaving the stomach, the chyme enters the small intestine. Think of the small intestine as a lengthy tube that primarily helps with nutrient absorption and further digestion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Here, the liver releases <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/best-digestive-enzymes\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">pancreatic enzymes<\/a> and bile, exposing the chyme to essential digestive processes. Pancreatic enzymes, including amylase, lipase, and protease, act on carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively. As a result, they are broken down into smaller, more absorbable compounds. At the same time, the liver produces bile, to help digest fats.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The absorbed nutrients, now in their most absorbable forms, make their way into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. This absorption process allows for nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids to enter the bloodstream, becoming readily available for distribution to cells throughout the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-5-passage-through-the-large-intestine\">Step 5: Passage Through The Large Intestine<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Then, any remaining undigested material, now referred to as residue, makes its way to the large intestine. This transition marks the start of the final steps of digestion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The large intestine\u2019s role is to focus on reclaiming water from the residue and consolidating the remaining indigestible substances into feces.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>As the large intestine processes the residue, it progressively absorbs water, transforming the semi-liquid into a more solid form. Ultimately, helping to maintain the body&#8217;s fluid balance and prevent dehydration. The absorption of electrolytes and additional nutrients also takes place, further filtering the material within the large intestine.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Further, the residue is shaped into feces within the rectum. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-different-types-of-poop-mean\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">Feces<\/a> consist of water, undigested food particles, bacteria, and waste products. <\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-6-elimination\">Step 6: Elimination<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Finally, the body transports feces to the rectum, a muscular reservoir located at the end of the large intestine. The rectum serves as a temporary storage site before elimination.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The last stage of digestion involves the excretion of waste through the anus. This process, known as defecation, is a controlled and coordinated action. The anal sphincters, muscular rings around the anus, regulate the release of feces, allowing for a gradual and voluntary expulsion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>All in all, the culmination of the digestive process is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing the accumulation of unnecessary byproducts within the body.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-long-does-it-take-for-food-to-digest\">How Long Does It Take for Food to Digest?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Several factors influence how long it will take for food to digest. Firstly, the type of food consumed plays a significant role, as different nutrients require varying degrees of digesting.<br><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Additionally, individual differences, including metabolism and overall physiology, also contribute to variations in digestion times. Then, the state of one&#8217;s overall health and the condition of the digestive system further impact the efficiency and speed of the digestive process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>With that in mind, it is difficult to provide a precise timeline for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-speed-up-digestion\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">how quickly food is digested<\/a>. However, here\u2019s a general timeline of healthy digestion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chewing to stomach: minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stomach to small intestine: 2-4 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small intestine absorption: 4-6 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Large intestine processing: 12-48 hours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p><strong>Estimated total digestion time:<\/strong> 24-72 hours<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-maintaining-a-healthy-digestive-system\">Tips for maintaining a healthy digestive system<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Maintaining a healthy digestive system is critical for overall well-being, and adopting simple dietary and lifestyle practices can significantly contribute to its optimal function.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>For one, ensuring a healthy digestive system involves a balanced diet with ample <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/prebiotic-fiber\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">fiber<\/a>, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Mindful eating practices, including chewing thoroughly and slowly, as well as mindful portions, can help improve digestion. Additionally, reducing processed foods, unhealthy fats, and refined sugars can positively impact digestive health<\/p>\n\n\n<p>A balanced diet also includes staying <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/does-sparkling-water-hydrate-you\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">well-hydrated<\/a> as this helps to support smooth bowel movements and aids nutrient absorption.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Regular physical activity, including daily walks, are also important for stimulating gastrointestinal muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Lastly, incorporating dietary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-vitamins-and-supplements-should-i-take\/\">supplements<\/a> such as a daily probiotic, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/6\/gut-instinct\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">HUM\u2019s Gut Instinct<\/a> and digestive enzymes like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/23\/flatter-me\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">HUM\u2019s Flatter Me<\/a> clinically studied formula can help create optimal gut and digestive health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Digestion is a dynamic process that begins at chewing and ends in elimination. A well-functioning digestive system is not only fundamental for nutrient absorption but also plays a major role in supporting overall health and well-being. To nurture digestive health, adopting healthy lifestyle choices such as a balanced diet, proper hydration, regular exercise, and mindful eating practices is key. Dietary supplements can also be helpful in optimizing digestive health. By prioritizing these habits, you can help nurture a healthy digestive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"cta-block -mx-4 md:mx-0 my-10 p-px md:rounded bg-white text-black relative  bg-no-repeat bg-cover aspect-[83\/48]\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/BlogBackground_Quiz.jpg);\" >\n\n\t<div class=\"p-4 sm:p-6 w-[70%] md:w-2\/3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-2xl md:text-3xl font-display font-bold uppercase\">Build Your Supplement Routine<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-large btn-primary mt-4 md:mt-8 !no-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/get_started\" target=\"_blank\">Take The HUM Quiz<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we eat food or take a drink, multiple organs will swing into action to help turn that food into energy. These organs are collectively known as the digestive system. They work together to down foods and liquids into their primary nutrient components that are absorbable and usable by the rest of the body \u2013 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":38748,"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":[263,262],"coauthors":[21928],"class_list":["post-38648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body","category-digestion","tag-digestive-health","tag-gut-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>Digestion Explained! Here&#039;s How The Tummy Works, Literally | HUM Nutrition Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"how long does it take for food to digest? This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how digestion works.\u00a0\" \/>\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\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Digestion Explained! Here&#039;s How The Tummy Works, Literally\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"how long does it take for food to digest? This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how digestion works.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-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=\"2024-01-08T12:06:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-01-08T19:07:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1210\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"807\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Gaby Vaca-Flores\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@HUMnutrition\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@HUMnutrition\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Gaby Vaca-Flores\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Gaby Vaca-Flores\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8534385d66a40dfe755b3f64c2c2ee19\"},\"headline\":\"Digestion Explained! Here&#8217;s How The Tummy Works, Literally\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-08T12:06:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-08T19:07:06+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/\"},\"wordCount\":1396,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Digestive Health\",\"Gut Health\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Body\",\"Digestion\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/\",\"name\":\"Digestion Explained! Here's How The Tummy Works, Literally | HUM Nutrition Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-08T12:06:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-08T19:07:06+00:00\",\"description\":\"how long does it take for food to digest? This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how digestion works.\u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg\",\"width\":1210,\"height\":807,\"caption\":\"Digestion explained\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Digestion Explained! Here&#8217;s How The Tummy Works, Literally\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"HUM Nutrition Blog\",\"description\":\"The Wellnest | Beauty From The Inside Out\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"HUM Nutrition\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/favicon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/favicon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"HUM Nutrition\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/humnutrition\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/HUMnutrition\",\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/humnutrition\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/hum-nutrition-inc\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/humnutrition\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCcwy4Ev5RlWtTFiN0wLa1ng\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8534385d66a40dfe755b3f64c2c2ee19\",\"name\":\"Gaby Vaca-Flores\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/0c1dcfcf11fea6106098be155dac4254\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/cropped-cropped-1-96x96.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/cropped-cropped-1-96x96.png\",\"caption\":\"Gaby Vaca-Flores\"},\"description\":\"Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, is the Sr. Education &amp; Scientific Affairs Manager at HUM, where she develops science-backed content and helps shape science strategy and product innovation. She has expertise in translating complex nutrition research into accessible guidance and educational resources. Gaby holds her Registered Dietitian credential, as well as her B.S. in Nutritional Science and a Master\u2019s in Communication Management from the University of Southern California.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/glowandgreens.com\/\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/glowandgreens\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/author\/gaby-vaca-flores\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Digestion Explained! Here's How The Tummy Works, Literally | HUM Nutrition Blog","description":"how long does it take for food to digest? This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how digestion works.\u00a0","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Digestion Explained! Here's How The Tummy Works, Literally","og_description":"how long does it take for food to digest? This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how digestion works.\u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/","og_site_name":"HUM Nutrition Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/facebook.com\/humnutrition","article_published_time":"2024-01-08T12:06:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-01-08T19:07:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1210,"height":807,"url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Gaby Vaca-Flores","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@HUMnutrition","twitter_site":"@HUMnutrition","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Gaby Vaca-Flores","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/"},"author":{"name":"Gaby Vaca-Flores","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8534385d66a40dfe755b3f64c2c2ee19"},"headline":"Digestion Explained! Here&#8217;s How The Tummy Works, Literally","datePublished":"2024-01-08T12:06:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-01-08T19:07:06+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/"},"wordCount":1396,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg","keywords":["Digestive Health","Gut Health"],"articleSection":["Body","Digestion"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/","url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/","name":"Digestion Explained! Here's How The Tummy Works, Literally | HUM Nutrition Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg","datePublished":"2024-01-08T12:06:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-01-08T19:07:06+00:00","description":"how long does it take for food to digest? This blog post will serve as a step-by-step guide that explains exactly how digestion works.\u00a0","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Digestion-Explained-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition.jpg","width":1210,"height":807,"caption":"Digestion explained"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/digestion-explained-heres-how-the-stomach-works\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Digestion Explained! Here&#8217;s How The Tummy Works, Literally"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/","name":"HUM Nutrition Blog","description":"The Wellnest | Beauty From The Inside Out","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"HUM Nutrition","url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/favicon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/favicon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"HUM Nutrition"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/facebook.com\/humnutrition","https:\/\/x.com\/HUMnutrition","https:\/\/instagram.com\/humnutrition","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/hum-nutrition-inc","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/humnutrition\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCcwy4Ev5RlWtTFiN0wLa1ng"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8534385d66a40dfe755b3f64c2c2ee19","name":"Gaby Vaca-Flores","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/0c1dcfcf11fea6106098be155dac4254","url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/cropped-cropped-1-96x96.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/cropped-cropped-1-96x96.png","caption":"Gaby Vaca-Flores"},"description":"Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, is the Sr. Education &amp; Scientific Affairs Manager at HUM, where she develops science-backed content and helps shape science strategy and product innovation. She has expertise in translating complex nutrition research into accessible guidance and educational resources. Gaby holds her Registered Dietitian credential, as well as her B.S. in Nutritional Science and a Master\u2019s in Communication Management from the University of Southern California.","sameAs":["https:\/\/glowandgreens.com\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/glowandgreens\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/author\/gaby-vaca-flores\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38648"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38756,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38648\/revisions\/38756"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38648"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=38648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}