ProViva Tummy School

Section 1: The story of the sandwich (what happens when we eat?)

When we eat a sandwich it is first processed in the mouth both mechanically by chewing and with the help of enzymes, which mainly break down the carbohydrates in the sandwich we just ate. Next we swallow the contents that pass down the approximately 30 cm long esophagus and end up in the stomach. Once there the food is mixed and ground up some more with the help of the hydrochloric acid secreted in the stomach. The acidic stomach environment has a pH of two, which kills many bacteria, both harmless and harmful. In the stomach the food is further processed into a loose mass and even here enzymes are at work to help break down the food, especially the proteins.

Next the contents are propelled into the duodenum which is the upper portion of the small intestine. The entire small intestine is about seven meters long in a typical adult. It contains many folds and protrusions, known as microvilli. If we were to flatten out the entire small intestine it would cover an area of about 140 square meters. The duodenum and the small intestine continue to break down the food into its smallest components so that the intestine is able to absorb the nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals into the blood where they are then transported out into the body.

The next way station before the intestinal contents are discharged from the body is the colon. The colon absorbs a few other nutrients that were not taken up by the small intestine, such as fluid, sodium and potassium. Once the contents have passed through the colon they exit the body via the rectum. Under normal circumstances the journey of the sandwich from the time it enters the mouth to its exit from the body takes about twenty-four hours.

Did you know that…
If we were to completely flatten out our intestines they would occupy an area as large as a tennis court.

All humans are born without any bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Shortly after birth bacteria become established and multiply all the way from our mouths down into our intestines. For the rest of our lives our mouths, stomachs and intestines will contain an enormous quantity of different microorganisms, especially bacteria. The vast majority are completely harmless and some are even beneficial, since they are believed to protect us against infections in the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal flora is the collective term given to all of the microorganisms in our intestinal tract.

The next section of the Tummy School contains some information about various problems that can affect our gastrointestinal tract. If you are worried about your health you should always contact a doctor!

We will publish a new section of the ProViva Tummy School at the beginning of each month.