The importance of digestive system

Continuing on How our digestive system works, we need to know the importance of our digestive system first.

The digestive system is one of the most crucial systems in the human body. It is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients and energy that the body needs to function properly. It maintains overall wellbeing of the body. Our health lies on our digestive system health. The digestive system consists a long line of organs, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Each of these organs plays a vital role in the digestion process, and any disruption in their functioning can lead to various health problems.

There is a saying, “healthy outside starts from inside” and I will say that healthy from outside starts from you digestive tract. Not lessening from any other organ, but the fact that it has a direct contact with anything enters the body, I mean food, give it an importance and priority. Because digesting whatever enters is what will decide other organs’ health and wellbeing.

Importance of Digestive System

Nutrient absorption:

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that the body can absorb and use. These nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for the body’s growth and maintenance.

Watching Courtney Jackson ted talk made me believe “we are what we absorb”, not “what we eat”. chewing and swallowing are digestive tract’s function. However, absorbing the nutrients is what it truly essential. They are what determines our overall health. Therefore, QUALITY is always mentioned over quantity.

Energy production:

The digestive system converts food into energy, so we can use to perform various activities, including those involuntary activities like breathing, heart beating and more… The energy comes after nutrient breakdown and absorption. As we chew and swallow food, it enters the dynamic stomach, where it crumbles all the ingredients, looking for whatever is useful and distribute it. Energy is produced, then it powers the body’s cells, tissues, and organs, enabling them to function correctly.

Waste elimination:

of course, unneeded ingredients are often found, so the digestive system eliminates any waste products from the body, including undigested food, bacteria, and other toxins. The elimination of these waste products is essential for maintaining a healthy body.

Immune system support:

Since the digestive system plays a vital role in nutrient absorption, it support the immune system. There are different food ingredients that are beneficial for our immunity. Such as, greens, berries, legumes, etc.. All food to be honest are good as long as they are real and unprocessed or minimally processed. Moreover, the gut contains beneficial bacteria, and now they are recognized for their role in helping to fight against harmful bacteria and viruses.

Mental health:

Recent studies have shown that the digestive system is linked to mental health. The gut-brain axis connects the digestive system to the central nervous system, allowing the gut to influence mood and behavior. A healthy digestive system can improve mental health, while an unhealthy gut can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Thus, what we chose to eat is extremely important. It will determine how you feel, whether you’re energised or not, how positive you are and more…

They found that 80% of serotonin, the happy hormone is produced in the gut !!!

Overall health:

The digestive system is key to overall health and wellbeing. A healthy gut can prevent various health problems, including digestive disorders, immune system dysfunction, and mental health issues.

Conclusion

The digestive system is one of the most critical systems in the human body. It is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients and energy that the body needs to function correctly. A healthy digestive system is essential for overall health and wellbeing, and any disruption in its functioning can lead to various health problems. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can promote a healthy digestive system and prevent various health problems.