Where does the digestion of food primarily begin?

The digestion of food primarily begins in the mouth, where the process is initiated by mechanical and chemical means. Chewing (mastication) breaks down the food into smaller pieces, increasing its surface area for enzymes to work on. Salivary glands produce saliva, which contains enzymes like amylase that initiate the breakdown of carbohydrates. This combination of mechanical action and enzyme activity marks the start of the digestive process.

While the stomach plays a key role in further processing food, including the mixing and breakdown of proteins through gastric juices, it is not the initial site of digestion. The small intestine, particularly the duodenum, follows after the stomach and is primarily where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs, but it does not start the digestion process itself. Therefore, identifying the mouth as the primary location where digestion begins is fundamental to understanding the overall digestive process.