Digestion

Discuss how fats, proteins, and carbs are digested and absorbed in the body, and describe the benefits from a dietary perspective. What are the good fats, bad fats, etc.? Why is fiber so beneficial? 

Do you ever stop and think about what happens to the foods we eat after we consume them? Our digestive tract is responsible for the processing of all of the foods we eat. From the foods that eat certain nutrients such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are broken down and absorbed into the body and used for many different purposes such as used as energy, to build and repair muscles, bones and organs (“How does the body,” 2013). There are both “good” and “bad” fats in the foods that we eat. Fats are broken down by enzymes and absorbed into the intestinal tract and bloodstream and stored as fuel for when needed. In order to maintain a healthy diet it is recommended that we eat the right fats that help to provide energy to our bodies. The good fats include: monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, which protect your health by decreasing bad cholesterol. We can get these good fats by eating foods rich in polyunsaturated foods such as fish, nuts, olive oil, and avocadoes. The bad fats include: trans-fat and saturated fats. These types of fats raise our cholesterol and lead to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Another important nutrient that our body needs to maintain a healthy diet is protein. Proteins are broken down in the stomach and sent to the small intestine where they are absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to the rest of the body to help replace dying cells and repair injuries. Carbohydrates are also important nutrients that your body needs in order to sustain a healthy body. Carbohydrates supply our bodies with energy; they feed our brain and nervous system, and keep our digestive system in shape. Carbohydrates are also absorbed in the bloodstream and stored in the liver for later use. There are two types of carbohydrates; simple and complex. Simple carbs are derived from sugary foods and complex is derived from foods rich in fiber and starch. Complex carbs have a greater nutritional value to the body and simple carbs have very little if any. It is important that we eat the good carbs (complex) as part of a healthy diet, because it provides the body with much needed energy that it needs to function. Fiber which is found in carbohydrates is also an important nutrient that helps to normalize blood cholesterol and blood glucose by maintaining healthy bowel function (Sizer & Whitney, 2012, p.114). 

How does the body absorb carbohydrates, fats and proteins. (2013). Retrieved on March 4, 2013, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/489260-how-does-body-absorb-carbohydrates-fats-and-proteins/

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2012).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, MyPlate Update (12th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.