What is in the gastric juice? What happens to food in the stomach?
November 13, 2020 | Education
| The gastric mucosa contains millions of small glands that produce gastric juice (about 2 liters per day). Some glands produce a digestive enzyme – pepsin, others – hydrochloric acid. Pepsin is necessary for the breakdown of proteins, and hydrochloric acid activates its work and kills bacteria. Depending on the composition and volume of food eaten, its stay in the stomach lasts from 3 to 10 hours. The walls of the stomach are able to contract slowly, mixing food with gastric juice. Stomach peristalsis is also important for the proper digestion of food.
