Tag: Gastric phase

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the gastrointestinal tract is approximately 30 feet long, a complex system where food undergoes a remarkable transformation. To understand this journey, it is essential to explore what are the 4 stages of eating, a process that begins even before the first bite.

The moment you see or smell a delicious meal, your digestive system has already begun its work, triggered by a cascade of neural signals. This preparatory response is just the first of what are the three stages of a meal—the cephalic, gastric, and intestinal phases—each controlling different aspects of digestion to ensure efficient nutrient absorption.