PHYSICAL WELLNESS

your food breakdown center

THE STOMACH

Your stomach is like a high-powered blender and chemical lab in one.
It takes the food you eat, churns it up, and uses powerful acids and enzymes to break it down into smaller pieces your body can use.

It’s not just about digestion — the stomach also plays a role in immune defense, nutrient absorption, and signaling to the rest of your digestive system.

Your stomach:

  • Stores food temporarily after you eat

  • Secretes gastric acid and digestive enzymes to break down proteins

  • Kills harmful bacteria and pathogens in food

  • Mixes food with digestive juices to form a semi-liquid called chyme

  • Sends signals to the pancreas, liver, and intestines to prepare for digestion

  • Releases hormones that control hunger and fullness

STOMACH BASICS

Common Terms + Simple Definitions

Here’s a mini glossary for brain-related words you’ll see throughout the site:

Gastric Acid - Strong acid that breaks down food and kills bacteria

Enzyme - A protein that speeds up digestion

Chyme - The semi-liquid mix of food and digestive juices leaving the stomach

Gastrin - A hormone that tells the stomach to produce acid

Mucus Lining - A protective coating that shields the stomach from its own acid

H. pylori - A bacteria that can cause ulcers if it grows in the stomach

Acid Reflux - When stomach acid moves back into the esophagus

WHAT THE STOMACH WORKS WITH

THE STOMACH + OTHER SYSTEMS

  • Esophagus → Brings food down from your mouth

  • Small Intestine → Receives chyme for further digestion and absorption

  • Pancreas → Provides enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine

  • Liver + Gallbladder → Provide bile to help digest fats

  • Vagus Nerve → Helps regulate acid production and stomach movement

  • Immune System → Uses stomach acid as a first defense against pathogens