The Amazing Journey of a Meal Through Your Body

Your food’s journey begins in the mouth and ends as waste, taking roughly 24 to 72 hours.
Each stop along the way — mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines — has a specific job.
Muscles called peristalsis push food through your digestive tract like a wave.
Stomach acid dissolves food into a soupy mix called chyme before it enters the intestines.
The small intestine is the “grand central station” for nutrient absorption.
Helpful bacteria in the large intestine finish breaking down leftovers and make vitamins.
Water is absorbed in the large intestine, transforming liquid waste into solid stool.
The liver filters nutrients and toxins from your food before they enter your bloodstream.
A single bite travels through a system that’s longer than a school bus.
The journey ends at the rectum — proof that your body never wastes a good system.