What does it mean to digest something?

To digest something means to break it down into simpler substances that can be absorbed and used by the body. The process of digestion begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the chemical process of breaking down carbohydrates. The food then travels to the stomach, where it is further churned and mixed with gastric juices, consisting of hydrochloric acid and more enzymes, which break down proteins and fats. From the stomach, the partially digested food, called chyme, moves into the small intestine. There it is mixed with enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. These enzymes break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats even further. The final stage of digestion occurs in the large intestine, where beneficial bacteria ferment any remaining undigested material and absorb water. The waste products of digestion are then expelled from the body as feces.