Stomach bile, more accurately just called bile, is a yellowish-green digestive fluid produced by your liver and stored by your gallbladder. It plays a critical role in the digestion process.
The Function of Bile
Bile's primary purpose is to help your body break down fats in the food you consume. Without bile, your body would have a hard time absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Additionally, bile aids digestive enzymes in breaking down food.
How Bile Aids Digestion
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Fat Emulsification: Bile breaks down large fat globules into smaller droplets. This process, called emulsification, increases the surface area of fat, making it easier for digestive enzymes (lipases) to act upon them.
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Absorption of Fats and Fat-Soluble Vitamins: After emulsification, bile helps the body absorb fats and essential fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K from the small intestine.
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Facilitating Enzyme Action: By breaking down fats into smaller droplets, bile assists digestive enzymes in their work to digest fats effectively.
Where Does Bile Come From?
| Organ | Function |
|---|---|
| Liver | Produces bile continuously. |
| Gallbladder | Stores and concentrates bile until needed for digestion. |
The Journey of Bile
- Bile is produced in the liver.
- It is then transported through bile ducts to the gallbladder, where it is stored.
- When food, particularly fatty food, enters the small intestine, the gallbladder releases the stored bile.
- Bile enters the small intestine and begins its digestive functions.
In summary, bile is not produced in the stomach, but is a critical digestive fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It helps digest fats and makes the process of digestion more efficient.
