The digestive system is the only way an external material can enter the body without any problems. It has some essential functions, like
- By hunger signal, it demands food for the body
- Prevents entry of pathogens into the body
- Provides enough nutrition
- Synthesizes essential vitamins
- Controls pathogenic bacteria
- An excretory organ
- Expels harmful foods or substances consumed
Our body is so sensitive to foreign material, either in solid or liquid form.
The immune system does not let foreign matter enter our bodies.
For the organic matter, except for the digestive route, no other route is acceptable to it.
If one injects fruit juice or other food material in liquid form, it will lead to an allergic reaction. This can even lead to anaphylactic shock and even death.
This indicates how important is our digestive system.
Yet, there are many other reasons why it is important.
Why is the Digestive System Important?
- Demands for food by hunger signal
- Prevents entry of pathogens into the body
- Provides enough nutrition
- Produces essential vitamins
- Controls pathogenic bacteria
- An excretory organ
- Expels harmful foods or substances consumed
Hunger signals a demand for food
- When the body requires more nutrition, the digestive system gives the hunger signal.
- During hunger, there is a secretion of hydrochloric acid. This irritates the stomach, and one feels the pain of hunger.
- Once the food is consumed, this pain subsides. So, it helps to take the food at the right time.
- Even this hunger makes us crave food, and we eat belly full. If not, we would not know when to take food and also how much.

Provides enough nutrition
- Food, as such, is hard to digest without cooking. Despite cooking, the food material is not completely ready for absorption into the body.
- So, in the digestive system, food undergoes enzymatic action. This enzyme reaction converts food into easily absorbable nutrients.
- These are glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids.
- Hence, when the gut is not healthy, we can notice the food is not digested well and tend to feel weak.
Prevents entry of pathogens into the body
- When we take raw food material, it tends to contain many bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens.
- These are destroyed once they enter the digestive system. Starting from the mouth to the stomach, they are killed and neutralized.
- In the mouth, the saliva has lysosomal enzymes which kill the microorganisms.
- If they escape the salivary action, they will be dealt with in the stomach. In the stomach, there is an acidic pH of around 1.5.
- This is an unfavorable environment for any living cell. They are neutralized immediately by the acidic action.
Synthesizes essential vitamins
- Few vitamins like vitamin-K2 are formed in the digestive system.
- Besides, vitamin B12 is absorbed due to intrinsic factors in the intestine.
- If not for the gut, vitamins K and B12 would not be available to the body.

Controls pathogens like bacteria
- An intestine is a place where there are many human-beneficial bacteria.
- This bacterium is essential for the formation of vitamin K and for controlling the growth of other harmful bacteria.
- When we take antibiotics, there are chances of the development of secondary infections. This is because the antibiotics kill both disease-causing bacteria and normal gut bacteria.
- This leads to a lack of control of pathogenic bacteria by normal gut-friendly bacteria.
Acts as an excretory organ
- The digestive system also contributes to the excretion of waste materials.
- This can be directly where it expels waste from the food.
- It can also be indirect, likeĀ the liver, an organ of metabolism that expels waste into the gut, which is sent out of the body.
Expels harmful foods or substances consumed
- When harmful food is taken, the digestive system does not digest them.
- Instead, it expels them out of the body in the form of vomiting or diarrhea.
So, it has a safety feature too.
You have a unique informative approach to enzymes and digestions which is very useful
@ Michael Parker! Thanks for the complement.