This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...

Chemical digestion occurs when the body uses enzymes to break down certain molecules, such as carbohydrates. This process allows the bloodstream to absorb smaller molecules to transport around the ...

Using new technology, researchers at UC Davis and Stanford University are able to study microbes and metabolism in different parts of the human digestive system for the first time. (Getty Images) Most ...

When it comes to intestines, it sure seems like two are better than one. I asked my friend Franck Carbonero why that is. He’s a microbiologist at Washington State University. He studies the bacteria ...

Scientists have developed a special capsule that people can take like a pill, and it will move through the digestive system collecting data on metabolism and digestion. The work has been reported in ...

The impact of eating spicy foods regularly can trigger changes to your gut and digestion, which can involve both positive and negative effects.

The gut microbiome is an important ecosystem of microbes that lives in each one of us, and its strength affects our overall health. However, the small intestine is an underappreciated part of the gut ...

Chemical digestion is one of the six main functions of your digestive system. This system consists of your digestive or gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs. During chemical digestion, your ...