The digestive system is the body system that breaks down food so that it can be used by the body. Food provides your body with nutrients. A nutrient is a substance in food that helps with growth and repair of cells, helps with body processes and gives you energy.

Digestion begins in the mouth. The salivary  (SA∙luh∙vehr∙ee) glands are two glands that produce saliva. Saliva is a liquid that softens food. The action of chewing combined with saliva moistens food and breaks it into smaller pieces.

Food passes from the mouth into the esophagus. The esophagus (i∙SAH∙fuh∙guhs) is a tube through which food passes into the stomach. The stomach is the organ that releases digestive juices to break down food. Food passes from the stomach to the small intestine. The small intestine is the organ in which most digestion takes place. Digestive juices from glands help with this process. The pancreas (PAN∙kree∙uhs) is a gland that secretes insulin and juices that break down some foods. It secretes a hormone that regulates the blood sugar level. Insulin helps your body use sugar. The liver is a gland that produces bile. Bile helps break down fats. The gallbladder (GAWL∙blader) is an organ that stores bile.

Food that is broken down enters the blood through capillaries in the small intestine. Food that is not broken down passes to the large intestine.

The large intestine is the organ in which undigested food is stored until it leaves the body. A bowel movement is when undigested food leaves the body. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables helps you have a daily bowel movement.