When food is broken down to be absorbed, which process is it undergoing?

The process of breaking down food so that it can be absorbed into the body is known as digestion. During digestion, complex food substances are chemically and mechanically broken down into simpler forms. This includes the action of enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into their constituent molecules, such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. This breakdown is essential because only these simpler molecules can be absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream.

Ingestion, on the other hand, refers to the act of taking food into the body. Absorption follows digestion and involves the uptake of the digested nutrients into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Metabolism encompasses all of the biochemical processes in the body, including those that help convert digestible nutrients into energy and the building blocks for cellular structures. Thus, while all the terms relate to the process of handling food, digestion specifically refers to the breakdown phase prior to absorption.