– If our stomach acids are so acidic and able to essentially puree food to be digested, then why does stuff like corn and seeds not breakdown?

Question

I’ve always wondered this. I know it’s something to do with cellulose in the corn but wouldn’t the hydrochloric acids in the stomach be so acidic that it breaks down everything?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The pureeing happens in the mouth, not the stomach. It’s what our teeth are for. That chewing action turns your food into a paste so that it’s easier for the acids and enzymes in the rest of the digestive tract to get at all of the molecules in it. When something isn’t fully masticated, such as if you swallow it before completely chewing it, those enzymes don’t get at everything before it goes down to the next step of the digestive process. The result: Corn in your poop.