When you eat gari and beans mixed with palm oil, it starts a complex journey through your digestive system. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of what happens:
1. **Mechanical Breakdown in the Mouth:** The first step in digestion occurs in the mouth. As you chew the gari, beans, and palm oil, your teeth mechanically break them down into smaller pieces. This increases the surface area of the food, making it easier for digestive enzymes to reach and break down the nutrients.
2. **Chemical Breakdown in the Esophagus:** Once you swallow the chewed food, it travels down the esophagus, a muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. As the food moves through the esophagus, it doesn't undergo any significant digestion. However, rhythmic muscle contractions called peristalsis help propel the food towards the stomach.
3. **Acidic Digestion in the Stomach:** The stomach is where the real digestive action begins. When the food reaches the stomach, it mixes with gastric juices, a highly acidic liquid containing enzymes that break down proteins and carbohydrates. The stomach muscles churn the food, turning it into a semi-liquid mixture called chyme.
4. **Emulsification and Nutrient Absorption in the Small Intestine:** The chyme then enters the small intestine, the longest part of the digestive tract. Here, the pancreas releases enzymes that further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The bile from the liver helps emulsify fats, making them easier to digest and absorb into the bloodstream through the thin walls of the small intestine.
5. **Water Absorption and Waste Removal in the Large Intestine:** The remaining undigested food material, now a mixture of fiber, bacteria, and other waste products, enters the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs water from this mixture, solidifying it into stools. The muscles of the large intestine also contract in peristaltic waves, moving the stools towards the rectum.
6. **Elimination Through the Rectum and Anus:** Finally, the stools reach the rectum, the last part of the large intestine. When you feel the urge to defecate, the muscles of the rectum and anus contract, pushing the stools out of the body through the anus.
This entire digestive process typically takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the type and amount of food consumed. Along the way, your body extracts essential nutrients from the food, providing it with the energy and building blocks it needs to function properly. The remaining waste products are eliminated, keeping your body healthy and functioning smoothly.
