[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

Food is most broken down by chemicals in your digestive system called enzymes. Bacteria help with the process but most of the energy in the food is directly absorbed into your blood plasma via your intestines.

The dry weight of all the bacteria in your body is about 100g. They can’t absorb a lot of food.