Once you drink water how is it digested and where does go?
Once consumed, water goes through a series of processes and passes through various parts of the digestive system before being utilized and eliminated from the body. Here's a brief overview of what happens to water after you drink it:
1. Mouth: When you drink water, it enters the mouth, where it mixes with saliva. Saliva helps to moisten the water and prepare it for swallowing.
2. Esophagus: After swallowing, the water moves into the esophagus, which is a muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. The muscles in the esophagus contract and relax, pushing the water downward through rhythmic movements called peristalsis.
3. Stomach: The water reaches the stomach, a muscular sac that serves as a temporary reservoir for food and drink. In the stomach, water contributes to the dilution of stomach contents, helping to dissolve and break down food. It also temporarily increases stomach volume.
4. Small Intestine: Water moves from the stomach into the small intestine, where most of the absorption and digestion of nutrients occur. The inner lining of the small intestine has tiny, finger-like projections called villi that increase the surface area for absorption. Water is absorbed along with other nutrients through these villi.
5. Large Intestine (Colon): Water that hasn't been absorbed in the small intestine continues to the large intestine, also known as the colon. Here, it helps to move solid waste along and absorb any remaining nutrients or electrolytes.
6. Rectum and Elimination: Excess water and undigested material accumulate in the rectum, creating a sensation of fullness. When you feel the need to go to the bathroom, the muscles of the rectum contract, expelling the formed feces. The remaining water is excreted as urine through the kidneys.
It's important to note that the time it takes for water to pass through the digestive system varies from person to person. However, on average, it can take several hours to a day for water to move through the body and be eliminated.