Why not read our article on the digestive system to find out more about its function.A simple question to start us off - what's the first part of the digestive system? If you answered mouth or tongue, you'd be close - but believe it or not, the first part of the digestive system is actually the nose.
The process starts way before you even put food in your mouth - it begins when your nose picks up the scent of something irresistible, or when you see a favourite food that you know will taste great. Just by smelling that fresh coffee or thinking about how good that bacon sandwich will taste, you begin to salivate, kicking off the whole digestive system. By the time you take the first bite, it's already up and running. The process it pretty simple.
If it's been a while since you last ate, or if you think about eating, you feel hungry. Once you start, you eat until you're satisfied, and then go about your other business. But for the next 20 hours or so, the work continues deep inside you, as your body processes that food.
Food is, of course, the body's fuel source. The nutrients in food give you all the energy and other substances your cells need to function. But before your food can do any of these things, it has to be processed into a form your body can absorb and use.
Looking after your stomach is a matter of common sense. As we all know to our cost, problems with our stomach can make our life a misery. So eat well, eat regularly, and drink lots of water. In return, your body will speed all the energy and nutrients to the places you need them, whether you're working out at the gym or preparing for a hot date.
