The digestive system is in charge of absorbing nutrients and getting rid of waste. It includes all the parts of your body that are involved when you eat or drink. Here are some fun facts about your digestive system:
The small intestine is about 22-23 feet long while the large intestine is only about 5 feet long.
The muscles in your esophagus act like a big wave. That action is what moves food or drinks down to your stomach. This wave is called peristalsis.
The average person makes 2 pints of saliva every day. This is 32 ounces, or 2 cans of soda!
The stomach can stretch and carry up to 4 pounds of food at once.
Hiccups can be caused by a sudden change in temperature.
The acid in your stomach is strong enough to burn your skin. However, it doesn’t because a thick layer of mucus protects your stomach and keeps the acid inside.
For more information or to learn more about your digestive system, reach out to one of our highly trained gastroenterologists!