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Human nutrition is the process by which substances in food are transformed

into body tissues and provide energy for the full range of physical and mental
activities that make up human life1. The study of human nutrition is
interdisciplinary in character, involving not only physiology, biochemistry, and
molecular biology but also fields such as psychology and anthropology, which
explore the influence of attitudes, beliefs, preferences, and cultural traditions
on food choices1.

The digestive system is the organ system that breaks down food into small
molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body. The main organs of the
digestive system are the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, and associated organs such as the salivary glands, pancreas, liver,
and gall bladder2.

The digestive system performs four main functions: ingestion, digestion,

absorption, and egestion2. Ingestion is the taking of substances, such as food
and drink, into the body. Digestion is the breakdown of food into smaller
pieces without chemical change to the food molecules (physical digestion) and
the break down of large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules
(chemical digestion). Absorption is the movement of nutrients from the
intestines into the blood. Egestion is the removal of undigested food from the
body as faeces2.

The digestion of food involves the action of enzymes, which are biological
catalysts that speed up the chemical reactions in the body. Different enzymes
are secreted by different organs of the digestive system and act on different
types of food molecules. For example, amylase breaks down starch to simple
reducing sugars, protease breaks down protein to amino acids, and lipase
breaks down fats and oils to fatty acids and glycerol2.

The absorption of nutrients takes place mainly in the small intestine, which has
a large internal surface area due to the presence of villi and microvilli. Villi are
finger-like projections that line the inner wall of the small intestine. Microvilli
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are tiny projections that cover the surface of each villus. Each villus contains a
network of capillaries and a lacteal. Capillaries are small blood vessels that
transport glucose and amino acids from the small intestine to the rest of the
body. Lacteals are lymphatic vessels that transport fatty acids and glycerol
from the small intestine to the lymphatic system2.

The following table summarizes some of the key points of human nutrition
and the digestive system:

Topic Description

Balanced diet A balanced diet is one that provides

the body with all the essential
nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats,
proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and
water, in the right amounts and
proportions1

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are the main source of

energy for the body. They are found in
foods such as cereals, starchy roots,
legumes, vegetables, fruits, and sugars1

Fats and oils Fats and oils are a concentrated source

of energy and also provide essential
fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
They are found in foods such as butter,
margarine, oil, nuts, seeds, meat, fish,
and eggs1

Proteins Proteins are the building blocks of the

body and are needed for growth,
repair, and maintenance of tissues.
They also provide some energy and act
as enzymes and hormones. They are
found in foods such as meat, fish,
eggs, milk, cheese, legumes, nuts, and
seeds1
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Vitamins Vitamins are organic compounds that

are needed in small amounts for
various metabolic processes and to
prevent deficiency diseases. Vitamin C
is needed for the synthesis of collagen
and the immune system. It is found in
foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes,
peppers, and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin D is needed for the absorption
of calcium and phosphorus and the
maintenance of healthy bones and
teeth. It is synthesized by the skin
when exposed to sunlight and is also
found in foods such as oily fish, egg
yolks, and fortified milk1

Minerals Minerals are inorganic elements that

are needed in small amounts for
various metabolic processes and to
prevent deficiency diseases. Calcium is
needed for the formation and
maintenance of bones and teeth and
the contraction of muscles. It is found
in foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt,
green leafy vegetables, and fortified
cereals. Iron is needed for the
formation of haemoglobin, which
transports oxygen in the blood. It is
found in foods such as red meat, liver,
eggs, legumes, nuts, and dried fruits1

Fibre Fibre, also known as roughage, is the

indigestible part of plant foods that
helps to regulate bowel movements
and prevent constipation. It also
lowers the risk of colon cancer and
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cardiovascular disease. It is found in
foods such as whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, nuts, and seeds1

Water Water is the most abundant and

essential nutrient in the body. It is
involved in almost every metabolic
process and helps to regulate body
temperature, transport nutrients and
wastes, lubricate joints, and maintain
blood volume and pressure. It is
obtained from drinking fluids and
eating foods with high water content1

Scurvy Scurvy is a disease caused by a lack of

vitamin C in the diet. It results in
bleeding gums, loose teeth, anaemia,
and poor wound healing1

Rickets Rickets is a disease caused by a lack of

vitamin D or calcium in the diet. It
results in soft and deformed bones,
especially in children1

Human teeth Human teeth are specialized structures

that help in the physical digestion of
food. There are four types of human
teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and
molars. Incisors are used for biting and
cutting food. Canines are used for
tearing food. Premolars and molars are
used for grinding and chewing food2

Stomach The stomach is a muscular organ that

stores and mixes food with gastric
juice. Gastric juice contains
hydrochloric acid and enzymes such as
pepsin. Hydrochloric acid kills harmful
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microorganisms in food and provides
an acidic pH for optimum enzyme
activity. Pepsin breaks down protein in
the acidic conditions of the stomach2

Bile Bile is an alkaline mixture that is

produced by the liver and stored in the
gall bladder. It is released into the
duodenum, the first part of the small
intestine, where it neutralizes the
acidic mixture of food and gastric
juices entering from the stomach. Bile
also emulsifies fats and oils to increase
the surface area for chemical digestion
by lipase2

I hope this information is helpful for you. If you have any questions or want to
learn more, you can use the links below to access some of the sources that I
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Sources: 1: [Human nutrition | Importance, Essential Nutrients, Food Groups, &

Facts | Britannica]([object Object]) 2: [Human Nutrition | CIE IGCSE Biology
Questions & Answers 2022 (Medium) | Save My Exams]([object Object])

Source(s)
1. Human nutrition | Importance, Essential Nutrients, Food ... - Britannica
2. Human Nutrition | CIE IGCSE Biology Questions & Answers 2022 (Medium)
3. Human nutrition | Importance, Essential Nutrients, Food ... - Britannica
4. Human Nutrition | CIE IGCSE Biology Questions & Answers 2022 (Medium)
5. Human nutrition - Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins | Britannica