[ELI5] If food is broken down by bacteria in our gut, how do we get energy from food?

Question

Does the bacteria consuming it not use the energy generated? How do we even process it? Like what does the bacteria give off or stomach do that our body converts into energy?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The bacteria in your gut (mostly?) have different chemical pathways that they use to get energy from stuff. So they can break things down that your body itself can’t, and poop out things that your body *can* use. They use some energy for themselves in the process, but it’s still a net win for us.