Digestion in humans is the process by which food is taken in, processed, and passed on through the body. The food is first chewed in the mouth, where saliva aids in the beginning of digestion. Saliva helps to break down food as it enters the esophagus and moves down into the stomach.

When the food enters the stomach, it goes through the next stage of digestion, in which it is churned and broken down further. Next, digestion takes the processed food into the small intestine, where bile and other digestive fluids continue the digestion process. Most of the nutrients from the food are absorbed while in the small intestine. The nutrients are absorbed into the blood, which then goes to the liver for cleansing and further processing.

After the nutrients are absorbed out of the food, the food enters the large intestine for the last stage of digestion. Here, food that cannot be broken down for digestion becomes feces and is expelled from the body. Digestion is a natural process that begins at birth; as long as we feed our body, it will take care of the rest.

Diet and activity level can have a serious impact on digestion. Otherwise healthy people can suffer from problems with digestion. Symptoms like diarrhea, gas, constipation, indigestion, and other complaints are not serious in the short term, but in the long term, they can have detrimental affects or even lead to serious illness.

To aid digestion, the first place to begin is making changes in one's diet. Enzymes are a helpful way to start. Enzymes help digestion because they increase nutrients and cause food to be more fully digested. Echinacea is one helpful enzyme, as are pepsin, spirulina, and milk protein, to name just a few.

Also helpful are natural nutrients that cleanse the intestine, such as aloe vera, beta carotene, senna pod, garlic, acidophilus, and rosehips. Fiber aids in digestion, as it keeps things moving in the intestine, preventing toxic build up, which can lead to the aforementioned symptoms of digestive problems. Fiber can be found in raw fruits and vegetables.

Water is one of the most helpful aids to digestion. Drinking eight to ten glasses of clean water each day keeps the body hydrated and aids digestion in the intestinal tract. Aerobic exercise and stretching each day also contribute to healthier digestion, as the body as a whole will be in better working order.