In what part of the digestive system does digestion begin?

Digestion begins in the mouth, where both mechanical and chemical processes take place. The act of chewing breaks down food into smaller pieces, increasing the surface area for enzymes to work. Saliva, produced by salivary glands, contains the enzyme amylase, which begins the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates into simpler sugars. This initial stage of digesting food is crucial because it prepares the food for further digestion and nutrient absorption in subsequent parts of the digestive system.

The mouth’s role in digestion sets the foundation for the processes that occur later, such as in the stomach, where protein digestion begins, and the small intestine, which is primarily where nutrient absorption occurs. However, without the initial breakdown in the mouth, these later processes would be less effective.