Digestive function
The main stomach functin is to break down, mix & digest what we have eaten. The first foods to abbandon our stomach are the carbohydrates or glucides (pasta, bread, all foods containing sugar). Within 15 minutes vegetables & food rich in mineral substances leave, within 30 minutes protein leaves our stomach, the last substances to leave our stomach are the fats that remain there for a long time in proportion to the quantity assumed.
It has been calculated that a small well prepared meal, can be evacuated within 3 hours, when the fats are in large quantities though it might even take 6 or 7 hours. On the other hand an excessive presence of meat or other types of fat will slow down the digestion of all the other foods. Therefore it is always advisable to consume well balanced & prepared meals.
Secretory function
The only mechanical functions mentioned are not enough to ensure a correct digestion. The stomach is also a real laboratory, that secretes, transforms, neutralizes & removes. Foods are attacked by the gastric fluid, that is made out of an acidic liquid partly alkaline (mucus, or mucins).
The main components of the gastric juice (fluid) are:
- Hydrochloric acid
- Pepsin
- Mucus
These components are formed in our stomach through the food we eat too much of one or all of these components may lead to indigestion & stomach pain.
Secretory mechanism
Gastic secretion is controlled by the nervous system, and can therefore affect our mood, an increase in secretion leads to positive feelings (trust, happiness, peace of mind), whilst a decrease would lead to negative feelings (depression, sadness, discouragement). This means that our emotions are also linked to our digestion & therefore to the food we eat.
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