Digestive System
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Beta-glucan & liposomal vitamin C
A strong foundation for your immune system
Discover how beta-glucans and liposomal vitamin C work hand in hand to support your immune system and create a solid foundation for your daily well-being.
Bitter drops: Your ritual for September
Rediscover the forgotten power of bitter substances
Read how bitter drops and foods containing bitter substances can aid digestion and increase your well-being. A little ritual that fits perfectly into your September cooking.
Magnesium Complex + Vitamin B6 in the evening
Your invitation to rest
Treat your body to the rest it needs after a long day. A magnesium complex with vitamin B6 can help relax your muscles and nerves and gently prepare you for a restful night's sleep.
Small strength for big changes
Vitamin C ascorbyl palmitate: your silent companion in sensitive times
When your body and everyday life are changing, even familiar things take on a new light. Vitamin C appears in a special form with ascorbyl palmitate, offering a fresh perspective on this well-known nutrient.
Zinc & Selenium: Your support for men's health
The silent helpers for vitality and a strong immune system
Discover how zinc and selenium strengthen your health from within as essential building blocks. This guide shows you how to sustainably support your performance and resilience.
In harmony through September
Omega-3 from algae DHA – for your heart, joints, and nerves
Between emails, appointments, and routines, September can quickly feel like a double espresso. Omega-3 from algae DHA can gently balance the body and support your heart, joints, and nerves. A quiet background noise that can provide stability.
Children strong throughout the day
Immune system, energy, and everyday eating made easy
How to gently strengthen your child's immune system with colorful plates, bedtime rituals, and fresh air. Plus: When child-friendly multivitamins make sense and how to relax and fit them into your everyday routine.
Strong joints in everyday life
Collagen, MSM & glucosamine under the microscope
Knee twinges, shoulder aches? Collagen, MSM, and glucosamine can help support joint comfort and mobility—making it easier to climb stairs, play, and tackle tasks.
A touch of sunshine for gray days
Get through fall with vitamins D3 and K2
When the light fades, your energy can stay strong. D3 and K2 help you relax and get through the cooler months, like a little supply of sunshine for every day. Find out more here!
Your silent DJ for everyday life
Coenzyme Q10 – energy in the background, balance in the foreground
Sometimes you don't need a loud drive, but a reliable foundation. Q10 acts like a quiet pacemaker that harmoniously organizes your inner energy. This creates a flow that carries you relaxed through everyday life.
Time for a cell reset?
Cell care with a conscious mind: A clear autumn with spermidine
Between sunscreen residue and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the need for order is quietly making itself known. This is exactly where Spermidin comes in - for all those who want to reorganize their inner life and get started with fresh energy.
Between resting mode and new beginnings: L-threonine in focus
When your head is still barefoot but your calendar is already wearing sneakers
L-threonine suits this in-between time like iced coffee suits late summer: subtle, but just right. Discover how the silent amino acid can give your system gentle structure - in the middle of the transition.
Goodbye, summer chaos - hello, hormone balance!
Find your way back from vacation mode to everyday life with Inositol.
The summer was wonderfully carefree, but now hormones, skin and mood are dancing out of line? Inositol is the secret director that gently directs your body back into rhythm. Discover how this nutrient can help you get going again full of energy and balance!
Clarity of thought meets plant power
With ginkgo, ginseng & bacopa naturally through everyday life
When thoughts are still in the hammock but the calendar is already drumming away, gentle structure is required. Get to know three herbal classics that balance concentration and calm - without any caffeine.
From heat to strength: more balance and energy with Tribulus terrestris
Herbal impulses for your body - when summer, everyday life and hormones collide
Your head is full, your circulation tired and summer means a little too well? Tribulus terrestris can help exactly where energy and inner stability start to falter. Find out here how this resilient plant can become your natural drive through the warm days.
Harvest time for your immune system
Zinc & beta-glucan - for gentle strength when summer becomes quieter
When the sun gets lower and the air smells of change, a quiet transition also begins in the body. Zinc and beta-glucan can provide beneficial stimuli right now - for an immune system that experiences the transition consciously and in balance.
Berry power through the summer - with antioxidants & vitamin C
Local berries provide flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidants - good for the heart, immune system and freshness.
Summertime is berry season - perfect for an active, healthy lifestyle. Local berries such as blackcurrants and blueberries are not only delicious, but also rich in vitamin C and flavonoids. They support cell protection, strengthen the blood vessels and boost your vitality.
Yam root & vitamin C
Natural nutrients for energy, skin glow & hormonal balance
Do you often feel tired or does your skin long for freshness? Learn how yam stabilizes your mood and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) provides your collagen boost - easy to integrate into your daily routine!
Blood sugar under control: How chromium stabilizes naturally
Chromium helps to regulate blood sugar fluctuations. For more energy and balance.
Chromium protects cells from sugar damage, has an antioxidant effect and stabilizes blood sugar - without any artificial additives. Ideal for greater well-being and fewer cravings, especially in the sugar-rich summer.
Stay mineralized when it gets hot
Stay fit through the summer with calcium and magnesium from sango coral
If heat, sweating and circulatory problems are getting to you, a good supply of minerals is crucial. Find out here how calcium and magnesium from sango coral can support you naturally.
Hormones in sync: For a vacation full of well-being
Beta-sitosterol & zinc: companions for hormonal balance on vacation
The suitcase is packed, the anticipation is huge - but what if the hormones find their own rhythm on vacation? New surroundings can keep the body on its toes. Fortunately, there is a natural dream team: beta-sitosterol and zinc. Find out here how this duo keeps the balance and gives you carefree vacation days!
Plant-based protective shield for your summer
Graviola - For support with inflammation and sensory overload
Are you dreaming of a warm season full of serenity in which your body vibrates in harmony? Graviola can help you maintain inner balance and gently support you through the challenges of inflammatory reactions or sensory overload. Discover how this exotic plant can contribute to your summer well-being.
Your Circulation Compass: Naturally in balance with nattokinase & OPC
Gentle support from nature for your well-being and vital blood vessels
Does your inner rhythm sometimes falter and your sense of well-being diminish? With nattokinase and OPC, nature offers a gentle way to harmonize your circulation and care for your blood vessels. Discover here how this duo can lead you back to new balance and vitality!
Awake in the moment, focused through long summer days with caffeine
Your kick for concentration and joie de vivre
Do you dream of experiencing the endless summer days with full presence and a clear head instead of fighting fatigue? Caffeine can be your natural ally to sharpen your focus and enjoy every ray of sunshine, every adventure with awareness and energy. Discover here how to make your summer moments more alert!
Your body, your digestive system: Everything you need to know about the anatomy and function of digestion!
Have you ever wondered exactly how your body converts the food you eat into energy and nutrients? The journey that your breakfast, for example, takes through your digestive tract is complex. From the initial mechanical grinding in the mouth to the final excretion of the indigestible remains – every step plays an important role in ensuring that your body gets the nutrients it needs.
Nutritionists and doctors agree: a thorough understanding of digestion is the key to a healthy and vital life. Ready to learn more? We can give you the information you need!
How is the digestive system structured?
The human digestive system includes several important organs:
- Mouth
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine (including duodenum)
- Large intestine (including colon and rectum)
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Gall bladder
Each of these organs has specialized tasks and functions that ensure the efficiency of the process and thus the absorption of nutrients [1].
How does digestion work in simple terms?
The digestive system is a comprehensive model that consists of several organs that work together to break down the food we eat into usable nutrients. The sequence is clearly structured and quickly explained [1]:
- 1. The process begins in the mouth, where mechanical crushing and enzymatic digestion by saliva begins.
- 2. The food pulp enters the stomach via the esophagus.
- 3. In the stomach, gastric acid and the enzyme pepsin continue the digestive process.
- 4. In the small intestine, the substances are further broken down and absorbed, aided by enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the gallbladder.
- 5. The large intestine (including the rectum) absorbs water and electrolytes before excreting indigestible residues as stool.
Why is digestion important?
The digestive process is essential to break down the nutrients absorbed from food into smaller molecules that the body can absorb and use. These substances are necessary for energy, growth, cell repair and general well-being. Without an efficient digestive process, the important substances could not be absorbed into the body.
Which organ is particularly important for digestion?
Each organ in the complex digestive tract plays a crucial role and has its own function, but the small intestine is central to efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients. The small intestine is the longest section of the digestive tract and plays a key role in breaking down food into absorbable components.
The pancreas produces a variety of enzymes that are released into the small intestine. These enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats into their smallest components so that they can then be absorbed through the small intestinal wall. In addition, the liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and then released to emulsify fats and facilitate their absorption in the small intestine [2].
How long does it take for food to be digested in the stomach?
The digestion process in the stomach can take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the type and amount of food consumed. Fats and protein-rich foods take longer to digest than carbohydrates.
How long does digestion take until defecation?
The length of time it takes for food to be digested can vary depending on the type of food and individual factors. In general, it takes about 6 to 8 hours for food to pass through the stomach and small intestine. After that, it can take another 12 to 24 hours for the indigestible remains to be transported through the large intestine and excreted as stool.
Why do digestive problems occur?
We've all experienced the uncomfortable feeling – bloated tummy, sluggish digestion, constantly changing moods. Digestive problems can occur for so many reasons: poor eating habits, stress, too little fiber, insufficient fluid intake and certain medical conditions. But don't worry, there are simple ways to get your gastrointestinal tract going! Find out more about bowel health here.
How can you stimulate digestion?
The intestines digest continuously, but the efficiency of the digestive process can be affected by various factors such as diet, hydration and physical activity. Taking the following aspects into account can help you support your digestive system:
Nutrition and dietary fiber
Dietary fiber is the indigestible part of plants that stimulates peristalsis by increasing stool volume and accelerating intestinal transit. There are soluble fibers that dissolve in water and form a gel-like substance, and insoluble fibers that absorb water and increase the mass of the stool. Foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes are rich in fiber and thus promote healthy digestion. They form propionic acid in our intestines – find out more here!
Fluid intake
Water is essential for the digestive process, as it softens stools and facilitates the movement of food through the intestines. Adequate fluid intake helps to prevent constipation, and supports the functioning of enzymes necessary for the breakdown of nutrients. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily, depending on body weight and activity level.
Physical activity
Regular exercise promotes intestinal motility, which is the ability of the intestines to move food through wave-like muscle contractions. Activities such as walking, running, swimming and yoga can stimulate intestinal motility and help to prevent digestive disorders such as constipation. Exercise also reduces stress, which can negatively affect the digestive process.
Stress management
Stress can significantly impair the digestive process by increasing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can slow down or speed up bowel function. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and adequate sleep can help to reduce stress and thus support digestion.
Probiotics and prebiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can positively influence intestinal flora. They are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are indigestible food components that promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Both contribute to intestinal health by maintaining the balance of intestinal flora and improving the digestive process [2].
Chewing and eating habits
Thorough chewing is the first step in the digestion process and prepares food for enzymatic digestion in the stomach and intestines. Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly ensures that food is well-crushed, facilitating mechanical digestion and improving the absorption of nutrients [5]. In addition, eating mindfully can help avoid overeating and relieve the digestive system.
More helpful tips
Different life situations or illnesses require an adjustment of the diet to ensure the supply of nutrients and to alleviate any symptoms:
- More about optimal nutrition during pregnancy
- Help with nutrition tips for osteoarthritis
- Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia
Sources
[1] https://www.netdoktor.de/anatomie/verdauungssystem/
[2] https://www.studysmarter.de/schule/biologie/der-menschliche-koerper/verdauungstrakt/
[3] https://www.kenhub.com/de/library/anatomie/verdauungssystem
[4] https://viamedici.thieme.de/lernmodul/557179/529666/verdauungssystem
[5] https://www.spektrum.de/lexikon/biologie/verdauung/69251