Learning Objectives
- Learn how we taste different flavours
- Understand the journey of food from mouth to stomach
- Know about the process of digestion
- Learn healthy eating habits for good digestion
Key Concepts
Tasting Food
Our tongue has tiny bumps called taste buds that help us taste food. We can taste five basic flavours: sweet (like sugar), sour (like lemon), salty (like salt), bitter (like neem), and umami (a savoury taste). Different parts of the tongue can detect all flavours. Our sense of smell also helps us enjoy food; that is why food tastes bland when we have a cold and our nose is blocked!
The Journey of Food
Food takes an amazing journey through our body. First, we chew food in our mouth where saliva starts breaking it down. Then we swallow, and the food goes down the food pipe (oesophagus) to the stomach. The stomach churns the food and mixes it with digestive juices. From the stomach, food moves to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the blood. Whatever is not needed goes to the large intestine and is finally removed from the body as waste.
Why We Need to Chew Well
Chewing food properly is very important. When we chew, our teeth break food into smaller pieces. Saliva mixes with the food and starts digesting starch. Smaller pieces are easier for the stomach to digest. If we eat too fast without chewing, we may get a stomach ache. So always chew your food slowly and properly!
Healthy Digestion Tips
Eat meals at regular times every day. Drink plenty of water. Eat fruits, vegetables, and foods with fibre (like whole wheat roti) because fibre helps in digestion. Do not eat too much fried or spicy food. Exercise regularly because physical activity helps digestion. Wash your hands before eating to keep germs away from your food.
Important Terms
- Taste Buds: Tiny bumps on the tongue that help us taste food
- Saliva: The liquid in our mouth that starts digesting food
- Oesophagus: The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (food pipe)
- Stomach: The organ that churns food and mixes it with digestive juices
- Digestion: The process of breaking down food so the body can use it
- Nutrients: Useful substances in food that our body needs to grow and stay healthy
Quick Revision
- Five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami
- Taste buds on the tongue help us taste food
- Food journey: mouth → food pipe → stomach → small intestine → large intestine
- Saliva in the mouth starts digestion
- Chew food properly for better digestion
- Eat healthy, drink water, and exercise for good digestion