What Is Digestion?

 

Food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients to be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout the body. Digestion is the process by which food and liquid are broken down into smaller parts so that the body can use them to build and nourish cells, and to provide energy.

Latest Gastrointestinal Condition News
Coffee may protect against oral cancers

January 6, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research indicates that drinking coffee lowers the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity or throat, at least in the general population of Japan.

Dutch study sheds light on virus that causes SARS

January 6, 2009 — LONDON (Reuters) - Dutch researchers have built a three-dimensional model of a type of virus that causes SARS in a step that could one day help in the battle against the deadly disease.

Osteoporosis drugs linked to esophageal cancer

January 1, 2009 — BOSTON (Reuters) - Merck's popular osteoporosis drug Fosamax and other similar drugs may carry a risk for esophageal cancer, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration official said on Wednesday.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health