IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DIGESTION

• The large intestine is smaller than the small intestine in length

• An adult stomach can hold up between 1.5 to 2 litres of food and liquid

• Food is in the digestive system for up to 24hours

• Food can stay in the stomach alone for 2 to 3 hours

• Flatulence gets its smell from swallowed air and bacteria

• The digestive system is susceptible to cancer

• The walls of the stomach secrete hydrochloric acid each day to kill bacteria

• The stomach rumbles at any time not just when you are hungry. However it is louder when the stomach is empty.

• Saliva in the mouth helps moisten the food for easy chewing and swallowing

• Bolus (food) is the name given to chewed moistened food ready for swallowing

• Bolus takes 7 seconds to reach the stomach through the esophagus

• Humans produce 1.7 liters of saliva each day

• Food is cooled or warmed in the mouth to a suitable temperature for digestion to begin

• Humans eat about 500kg of food each year

• The small intestine is where most of the digestion of food takes place.

• Undigested food enters the large intestine as liquid paste, the water is removed from it leaving only solid waste. This solid waste makes its way to the rectum and is released through the anus as feces.