Healthy Diet and Digestion Overview

Food Composition

• Food is made up of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
• Carbohydrates and fats provide energy. Fats also insulate the body.
• Fiber helps prevent constipation.
• Proteins are building blocks for growth and repair.
• Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts and are important for a healthy body.

Healthy Diet

• A healthy, balanced diet is essential for wellbeing and includes the right amount of nutrients, water, and fiber.

Digestion

• The digestive system is a group of organs that break down food into simple molecules that the body can absorb.
• Peristalsis is muscle waves that push food through the digestive system.
• Physical digestion breaks down food into smaller pieces (mouth & stomach).
• Chemical digestion uses enzymes to break down food (mouth, stomach, small intestine).
• Enzymes speed up chemical reactions.
• Absorption is when simple food molecules pass from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
• The large intestine absorbs water and stores waste.
• Egestion is getting rid of waste through the anus.

Gut Microbiome

• The gut microbiome is the collection of microorganisms in the large intestine, mostly bacteria.
• A healthy gut microbiome benefits overall health.

Digestive and Circulatory Systems

• The digestive and circulatory systems work together to provide the body with energy, materials for growth and repair.