Top 25 Fun Facts About The Digestive System

The digestion process is a very complex process where several organs come into play.

• Each organ has a specific role in the digestion process.
• The digestive system organs include mouth & throat (collectively known as Pharynx), esophagus (or Oesophagus), Stomach, Pancreas, Liver, Gallbladder, Small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), Large intestine (colon, appendix, and rectum) and the anus.

On an average, a person produces around 32 ounces of saliva per day.

• Saliva is produced by the salivary glands in the oral cavity.
• Saliva contains salivary enzymes called amylase that help break down food particles.
• There are two different pairs of salivary glands in the oral cavity – the parotid glands located inside the cheeks and the submandibular glands located on the mouth or the oral cavity floor.

Food after ingestion takes around 7 seconds to travel down the length of the esophagus in wave live movements called peristalsis.

• The esophagus, also known as the food pipe, is lined with smooth muscles that undergo the process of peristalsis.
• Peristalsis is the wave-like contractions of the esophagus muscles that push the food through it.
• The esophagus is around 8 inches long, and due to the wave-like contractions, it takes food only 7 seconds to travel down the tube.

An essential regulatory system of the digestive system is the gut-brain axis which regulates how the digestive system digests food.

• The brain is the center of all regulatory control. It controls the digestive system via the gut-brain axis and alters metabolism and digestion rate in conditions such as stress.
• When the stomach is full and distended, the nerve fibers in the lining of the stomach walls send signals to the brain, giving a feeling of fullness. The opposite occurs when the stomach is empty.

The small intestine stretches out to around 22-23 feet whereas the large intestine is only four feet long.

• The large and small intestines have distinct roles.
• The small intestine is primarily involved with the uptake and assimilating of food, whereas the large intestine is involved in the intake and absorption of water.

The stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCI) to aid in digestion.

• The stomach lining is made of smooth muscle and epithelial cells that contain cells known as parietal cells.
• These cells secrete HCL or hydrochloric acid and other enzymes that aid digestion.
• An imbalance in the stomach acids can cause bloating, burping, nausea, or acid reflux.

Did you know that the stomach does not do most of the digestion? Let’s explore more.

• Even though most of the food is broken down in the stomach, it is not the site of most of the digestive process.
• Most of the digestion is carried out in the small intestine, where absorption and assimilation take place.
• The small intestine secretes a variety of enzymes for digestion and has finger-like projections called villi which help in absorption.

The Average human being has over 400 bacterial species in the gut.

• The bacteria present in the gut create a microflora that is beneficial and protective to the human gut.
• On taking antibiotics, this microflora is depleted and thus causes the side effect of gastrointestinal issues.
• E.coli is one of the most common bacterial species present in the gut microflora, an overgrowth of which can cause gastroenteritis.

The entire digestive tract is around 29 feet long.

• The digestive tract begins at the oral cavity, followed by the esophagus, the stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, colon, and rectum.
• The entire digestive system spans the entire length from the oral cavity to the rectum.

Food is cooled or warmed in the oral cavity to suit the body temperature.

• The normal body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius (or) 98.4 degrees Farenheits. The food which is ingested is cooled or warmed to the body temperature for it to be more suitable for digestion.
• The Digestive enzymes of the body function at the body temperature; therefore, ingested food needs to be brought to that temperature to provide the optimum conditions for the digestive process.

The total surface area of the small intestine in the human body is enormous!

• The small intestine is about 7 meters long and an inch in diameter. The surface area of the small intestine is about 250 sq meters.
• This arrangement is because the lining of the small intestine has folds within which there are finger-like projections called villi and microvilli.
• Villi are present in these intestinal crypts, which increase the surface area of the small intestine fit for absorption of nutrients from ingested and broken-down food.

Every two weeks the stomach lining produces new mucus as a protective layer.

• The parietal cells in the stomach produce hydrochloric acid, which aids in the breakdown of food.
• The production and secretion of this acid in high amounts can cause damage to the inner lining of the stomach.
• To protect the stomach lining from damage, the stomach renews its mucus lining every two weeks.

The digestive process takes around 2-6 hours.

• Digesting and emptying the content from the stomach to the intestines takes about 2-6 hours.
• This repeated process explains why we feel hungry almost regularly.

The digestive process does not need gravity!

• Ingested food is pushed down the esophagus by a series of wave-like contractions.
• This process is known as peristalsis, and it helps in getting the ingested food to the stomach and the other organs from the stomach.
• Due to this, an individual’s food will be digested even if upside down!

One of the most common symptoms related to the digestive system is bloating.

• Bloating affects approximately 36% of the human population and is a common occurrence after ingestion of a full meal.
• The stomach can hold around 4 liters of food content and can bloat around four times the average size following the ingestion of a large meal.
• Due to this, the abdominal diameter seems to vary by approximately 12 cm daily.

The stomach produces around 3 liters (5 pints) of gastric juices on a daily basis.

• The stomach produces a mix of enzymes and acids to aid in the digestive process.
• Different cells in the lining of the stomach secrete various enzymes that work on different types of food particles and help break them down into a liquid form.
• The liquefied food is then squirted into the small intestine one teaspoon at a time.

Stomach rumbling is called Borborygmi, and it does not happen only when we are hungry.

• Stomach rumbling occurs due to the peristaltic movements in the gut due to normal digestion of food and fluids.
• These sounds occur when the stomach has contents but is louder when the stomach is empty, as there is nothing to hide the sound.
• When the stomach empties its contents into the intestines, it signals the brain. The brain, In turn, responds by activating the digestive muscles to initiate contractions to ensure no food particles remain in the stomach.

The human body takes longer to digest a meal depending on its content.

• The human body takes about 6 hours to digest a meal that is high in fat content, whereas it takes only 2 hours to digest a meal that is high in carbohydrate content.
• Therefore, we must follow the intake of a balanced diet to ensure a healthy lifestyle and weight and prevent digestive issues.

Constipation is another common symptom of improper digestion in the human body.

• Constipation is a fairly common symptom or a side effect of improper digestive functioning.
• It occurs in approximately 20% of the population and is more common in women than in men.
• As human beings age, the digestive process slows down. In particular, the final part of the digestive system, where the undigested or excreted waste moves from the colon to the exterior, takes longer than expected; it results in constipation.

Most people think peptic ulcers are caused by the food we eat.

• Most people think that stomach or intestine ulcers are caused by eating high-spice food or can also be caused due to stress.
• However, peptic ulcers are in reality caused by a bacterium known as Helicobacter Pylori.

The most significant internal organ of the digestive system is the Liver.

• The liver is a part of the digestive system and has a variety of functions.
• The liver performs over 500 different functions ranging from secreting bile for digestion to detoxification and breakdown of drugs and drug products.

The role of the epiglottis in digestion is to keep food out of the air tract.

• The epiglottis is a thin flap-like structure that covers the windpipe.
• While swallowing, it covers the windpipe, preventing any food particles from entering the lungs.
• Choking occurs when food or other particles enter the windpipe and block the airway.

The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, that is used during the digestive process.

• The liver secretes bile into the bile duct, which is then stored in the gallbladder.
• The gallbladder then secretes bile into the intestines, aiding digestion.
• Bile contains bile salts and bile pigments which help emulsify fats and aid in absorption.

Fiber is an essential dietary nutrient for the human body.

• Once the entire digestion process is complete, whatever is left over is called the fiber.
• Many foods are high in fiber, which is good for the human body.
• Fiber present in the undigested content that is to be excreted helps in softening the stool and prevents constipation.

Water is the essence of life and helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system.

• Drinking adequate amounts of water is necessary to keep the digestive system in proper order.
• A quart of fluid daily is received by the large intestine from the small intestine, where stools are formed.
• An adequate amount of intake of water ensures proper stool formation and helps prevent dehydration and constipation.