Advertisement
question

How do humans digest beef?

dotFIT
dotFIT
answer
The same way all foods are digested. Digestion actually starts in the mouth from chewing and secreting digestive juices that begin to loosen the foods contents before you swallow it. The “mushy” result is swallowed and ends up in the stomach, which is a very acidic environment that helps further loosen the foods ingredients with aid of specific enzymes. Meat/beef requires more acid and leads the body to release specific enzymes (e.g. pepsin) to break it down further to what your body can use such as the amino acids, vitamins and minerals. From the stomach, meat components begin the longer journey into your intestines where another enzyme, trypsin, completes the breakdown of the proteins from meat into amino acids that are now available for absorption into the blood stream and transported to where they are needed. The leaner the beef the faster this process takes place and vice-versa. Fat slows the digestion of all foods but like all foods, beef components enter the blood stream in a few hours and the remainder passes in your subsequent bowel movement with the rest of food stuff your body did not absorb. Don’t buy into the stories about humans taking days to digest beef – WRONG! Humans evolved with a marvelous digestive system that’s built to digest plants, grains and meats. The availability of foods as humans multiplied and migrated led to this wonderful trait.

Continue Learning about Digestive Health

Stomach bug or food poisoning? Here's how to tell
Stomach bug or food poisoning? Here's how to tell
Plagued with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea? There could be several conditions causing your discomfort, such as a bug you caught from y...
Read More
Is it gas or irritable bowel syndrome?
Is it gas or irritable bowel syndrome?
Sometimes, gas is the result of your menstrual cycle or your last meal. Other times, gas plus pain and changes in your bowel movements can signal a co...
Read More
6 easy things you can do for better digestion
6 easy things you can do for better digestion6 easy things you can do for better digestion6 easy things you can do for better digestion6 easy things you can do for better digestion
Keep your plumbing working smoothly with these tips. Most people don’t think much about their digestive system until it goes out of whack with sympto...
Start Slideshow
Embarrassing stomach issues, solved
Embarrassing stomach issues, solvedEmbarrassing stomach issues, solvedEmbarrassing stomach issues, solvedEmbarrassing stomach issues, solved
Find out if your gas, grunts and growls are normal and what to do about them. Your stomach has many ways of surprising you—causing you to unexpectedl...
Start Slideshow

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.