Digestive System

Digestive: the body system that breaks down food into nutrients that can be used by the body

- Chose a variety of foods everyday and eat plenty of foods that contain fiber

- Chew slowly and enjoy your food. Do not rush to finish your food. Chew food well to avoid indigestion

- Drink at least six-eight glasses of water each day

- Major organs: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, large intestine, rectum, and anus

Definitions:

- Small intestine: where the greatest amount of digestion and absorption occurs

- Liver: gland that secretes bile to help break down fats, maintain blood sugar level, and filter poisonous wastes

- Pancreas: the gland that produces both digestive enzymes and insulin

- Large intestine: tube in which undigested food is prepared for elimination from the body

- Rectum: lower end of the large intestine that stores waste temporarily

- Anus: opening to the outside of the body at the end of the rectum