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

Gas: what’s normal and what isn’t?
Gas: what’s normal and what isn’t?
Everyone burps and passes gas. Some do these things more often than others. It can be loud and sometimes smelly, but gas is a normal part of the diges...
Read More
The common gut condition that could cost you your colon
The common gut condition that could cost you your colon
Feeling pain or a strange discomfort in your abdomen? Don’t worry; you're not alone. Every year, thousands of people are admitted to hospitals for abd...
Read More
Why do I belch loudly after eating?
Why do I belch loudly after eating? Prolonged deep belching after eating is almost certainly due to ...
More Answers
5 foods for healthy digestion
5 foods for healthy digestion5 foods for healthy digestion5 foods for healthy digestion5 foods for healthy digestion
Reach for these when your digestion is upset. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States about...
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.