7 Fun Facts About Your Digestive System
Your digestive system is made up of some of your body’s most important organs, performing a variety of critical functions such as swallowing, digesting, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. By understanding your digestive system and what it does for your overall well-being, you can sustain optimal health.
Fun Facts About Your Digestive System
Your digestive system begins at your mouth and ends at your anus. With so many moving parts, there are bound to be facts you are unaware of. At Birmingham Gastroenterology, we want to ensure you are educated on the best ways to care for your digestive tract. That’s why we have put together seven facts you should understand about your digestive system.
1. There Are Eight Major Organs In Digestion
The food you eat and the liquids you drink travel through several organs that make up the digestive tract— eight to be exact. These organs include the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.
2. Your Digestive System Has Its Own Nervous System
The digestive system has its own nervous system, called the enteric nervous system (ENS). According to Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the enteric nervous system is the largest component of the autonomic nervous system and is uniquely enabled to orchestrate gastrointestinal function independently of central nervous system (CNS) input.
3. Your Small Intestine Is Longer Than Your Large Intestine
Although your small intestine is more narrow than your large intestine, your small intestine is the longest section of your digestive tube. Counterintuitive, right? Your small intestine measures roughly 20 feet long, while the large intestine is only about five feet long. In fact, your small intestine is the longest part of your digestive system!
4. You Produce Roughly 32 Ounces Of Saliva Every Day
Swallowing your saliva is rarely, if ever, an action that you have to think about doing. Rather, it is a natural process. Yet, did you know that you produce roughly 32 ounces of saliva every single day? Surrounding your mouth are 3 sets of salivary glands that produce saliva, which helps moisten food and begins the digestion of carbohydrates.
5. Emotions Can Affect Your Digestive System
You’ve likely heard about the brain-gut connection. It’s been observed that your gut microbiome can affect your emotional well-being and vice versa, where irritation to your gastrointestinal system can send signals to your central nervous system that may trigger mood changes. Emotions that many people experience feeling in their gut include sadness, anger, nervousness, fear, and joy.
6. Exercise Can Kick Your Gut Into Gear
It’s no secret that exercise is good for your overall well-being, but did you know that it also has been proven to be beneficial to your digestive system? Those who are physically active may experience reduced inflammation, improved gut bacteria, and overall better mood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity each week.
7. Enzymes Separate Your Foods Into Different Nutrients
Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies to help with natural processes such as digestion and liver function. Digestive enzymes are different types of enzymes that target different nutrients. For example, amylase breaks down carbohydrates and starches, protease breaks down proteins, and lipase breaks down fats. These digestive enzymes can be found in several places throughout your digestive system, including your mouth, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine.
Here at Birmingham Gastroenterology, we have decades of experience treating diseases and disorders in all parts of the digestive system. To make an appointment to discuss your symptoms and treatment options or to ask questions about your digestive system, call us at (205) 271-8000.