What Is the Function of Digestive Enzymes That Process Food

Don’t you ever wonder where does the food we eat go? How our body uses it? Who does the segregations? Well, if all these questions are occupied on your mind, read our blog! We will give you a complete guide on what is the function of digestive enzymes and how the chemical reactions take place in our body!

What are digestive enzymes?

Our body makes these enzymes in the digestive system that includes the mouth, small intestine, and stomach. The pancreas has the largest share of these enzymes.

Also, these enzymes help the body in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. In order to have optimal health, your body needs to absorb these nutrients. Therefore, without digestive enzymes, the nutrients in our food will go to waste.

Besides, lack of these enzymes will lead to poor health, such as malnutrition. This is called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). If this happens, replacement of the digestive enzymes might be a choice.

Doctors need to prescribe some of the enzyme supplements that you can have to supply enzymes into your body. However, there many over-the-counter medicines that people can consume (OTC).

The role of digestive enzymes in the human digestive system

They take the place of the natural enzymes and helps in breaking down the nutrients. Once the food breaks down, all the nutrients are absorbed in the body by the wall of the small intestine. After that, it is distributed by the bloodstream.

Moreover, if someone is taking supplements, then they should have them just before they eat. In this way, they will do a better job once the food reaches the small intestine and stomach.

What is the function of digestive enzymes?

The primary function of enzymes is to absorb and digest the food that we eat. They break down complex molecules such as fats, carbs, and proteins (macronutrients) into smaller molecules. This helps the nutrients to be absorbed by the bloodstream and distribute in the body.

Moreover, these enzymes are released as soon as we taste the food or smell it. Also, some foods have digestive enzymes that help to break down the nutrients even faster.

Furthermore, lack of digestive enzymes can cause many health issues, mainly those that affect the pancreas since it secretes many vital enzymes.

List of digestive enzymes and their functions

The main types of digestive enzymes include Amylase, Maltase, Lactase, Lipase, Sucrase, and Protease. Check out the list below to find out the functions of these enzymes:

What is the function of digestive enzymes Amylase?

It breaks down the starches or carbs into sugar particles. The pancreas and the salivary glands secret this enzyme.

Moreover, the amount of Amylase levels in our blood is used to diagnose different pancreas or digestive diseases.

Furthermore, a high level of this enzyme might indicate an injury or blockage in the pancreas, acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or a sudden inflammation in the pancreas.

Low levels might be indicating chronic pancreatitis, diarrhea, inflammation in the pancreas, and liver diseases.

What is the function of digestive enzymes Maltase?

Our small intestine secretes this enzyme, and it helps to break down malt sugar (maltose) into simple sugar (glucose), which our body uses for energy.

Moreover, during the process of digestion, starch is partly converted into maltose with the help of Amylases. After this, Maltase transforms maltose into glucose. Either it is instantly used by our body or stored in our liver as glycogen for any future usage.

What is the function of digestive enzymes Lactase?

Lactase which is also known as lactase-phlorizin hydrolase helps to break down lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in dairy foods. It breaks them into simple sugars such as galactose and glucose.

Moreover, enterocytes, a type of cell present in the intestine, produce Lactase. However, if it is not absorbed, it undergoes fermentation by microbes and may lead to acidic and stomach upset.

What is the function of digestive enzymes Lipase?

With the help of liver bile, it breaks down fats into glycerol and fatty acids. It produces mainly in the pancreas and a small amount in the stomach and mouth.

Hence, if someone lacks Lipase, then they will be deficient in fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, K, and D.

What is the function of digestive enzymes Sucrase?

The small intestine produces Sucrase. Here it helps in breaking down sucrose into glucose and fructose. Our body can absorb these as they are simpler sugars.

Moreover, it is found in the intestinal villi, which are tiny hair-like projections and transport nutrients in the bloodstream.

What is the function of digestive enzymes Protease?

It is also known as proteolytic enzymes, proteinases, or peptidases, which help break down protein into amino acids.

Moreover, it helps to keep out organisms such as yeast, protozoa, and bacteria out from the intestines. Lack of this will lead to toxicity or allergies in our intestines.

Proteases are formed in the pancreas and stomach. The vital ones are:

Pepsin

It is produced in the stomach and helps in breaking down proteins into amino acids and peptides. Either it is absorbed or further broken down in our small intestine.

Trypsin

They are formed when our pancreas secretes enzymes, and the enzymes activate them in our small intestine.

Furthermore, they activate other pancreatic enzymes, like chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase, to help to break down the peptides.

Chymotrypsin

Chymotrypsin enzymes help in breaking down peptides into amino acids, which our intestinal walls will absorb.

Carboxypeptidase A

They are produced in the pancreas, and it helps to split peptides into singular amino acids.

Carboxypeptidase B

They are produced in the pancreas and helps in breaking down basic amino acids.

What is the role of acid in our stomach?

Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is a type of digestive fluid that is formed by our stomach at the time of digestion. It helps to destroy harmful germs that are present in our food particles.

Role of HCL:

It does have a crucial role during the process of digestion. Some of the essential features are listed below:

1. It helps to make a medium for the gastric juice acidic so that all the enzymes can digest the protein and kill the microbes present in them.
2. This acid helps to stimulate the pepsinogen enzyme required to digest the proteins.
3.  Hydrochloric acid found in our stomach helps digestion by decomposing complex large food particles into simpler particles.
4. The acid also helps to break down, absorb, and digest the nutrients like protein.

Foods with digestive enzymes and their functions

Here is a list that will tell you each of the foods that have digestive enzymes present in them and their respective functions. Check out the following:

Pineapple

The enzyme they have is proteases (bromelain).

Function

It helps to digest proteins into building block which includes amino acids. Moreover, this supports the absorption of proteins and digestion. It is also anti-inflammatory.

Bromelain also can be bought in powdered or crushed form, which helps to tenderize hard meats. Besides, it is widely available as a supplement that aids people who cannot digest proteins.

A few years ago, a study was done on 20 people with pancreatic insufficiency; it is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce enough enzymes.

Once they started taking bromelain and enzyme supplements, their digestive system was better and faster than just taking the enzyme supplement.

Papaya

The enzyme they have is proteases (papain).

Function

It helps to digest protein, and it is also a common meat tenderizer. Besides, a lot of research has shown that having papaya helps ease digestive symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), like bloating and constipation.

Moreover, it is best to eat papayas when they are uncooked and ripe. It causes heat exposure destroys the digestive enzymes.

Also, semi-ripe and unripe papayas are unsafe for pregnant women because they might stimulate contractions.

Kiwi

The enzyme they have is proteases (actinidain).

Function

Since the food is rich in fiber, it helps the digestive process and transports the foods faster. It is also used to tenderize hard meats such as beef and also soy protein, and gluten.

Moreover, it has other enzymes which ripen kiwi. Also, scientists believe that actinidain is the reason why kiwi helps indigestion.

Kiwi also helps to relieve constipation and decreases bloating.

Mango

The enzyme they have is amylases.

Function

It helps to break down the carbs from starches and turn them into simple sugar such as maltose and glucose.

Moreover, it works better if the mango is ripe. Amylase becomes more active when mango is ripe. Also, this is the reason why mangoes are sweeter when they start to grow.

Bananas

The enzyme they have is glucosidases and amylases.

Function

Both glucosidases and amylases help in breaking down complex carbohydrates into sugars. Like mangoes, it is best to have a ripe yellow banana instead of a green banana.

Furthermore, bananas are rich in dietary fiber that helps the digestive system. 120 grams of banana has 3.2 grams of dietary fiber.

Raw Honey

The enzyme they have is invertases, proteases, diastases, and amylases.

Function

1. Diastases help to break down starch into maltose.
2. Amylases break down the starches into sugars such as maltose and glucose.
3. Proteases break down the proteins into amino acids.
4. Invertases help in breaking down the sucrose (a sugar type) into fructose and glucose.

Whenever you buy honey, make sure it is raw as it has the most digestive benefits. Furthermore, processed honey is most heated, and heat destroys the enzymes.

Avocado

The enzyme they have is lipases.

Function

It helps to metabolize and digest fats. They digest the fat particles into smaller particles like glycerol and fatty acids.

Even though Lipase is made in the pancreas, taking an additional supplement will further help digestion, mainly after a hefty meal.

Kefir

The enzyme they have is lipases, proteases, and Lactase.

Function

Lactase helps to digest and absorb the fermented milk. Also, people with lactose intolerance can even tolerate it.

It is fermented milk where grains (kefir) are added to the milk. Kefir is a culture of acetic acid bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast that looks like a cauliflower.

During fermentation, the microbes convert the natural sugar in milk into carbon dioxide and organic acids. This process adds enzymes, nutrients, and different beneficial compounds.

Sauerkraut

The enzyme they have is lipases and proteases.

Function

It is a fermented cabbage that has a very distinct bitter taste. Most fermented foods create enzymes and probiotics during the process of fermentation. These beneficial bacteria help to support digestive health.

Also, many studies have shown that the consumption of probiotics also helps to ease digestive symptoms like constipation, stomach pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Moreover, to get the maximum benefits to eating raw sauerkraut and not cooked sauerkraut as high temperature destroys the enzymes.

Kimchi

The enzyme they have is lipases, amylases, and proteases.

Function

Kimchi is made from fermented vegetables that have enzymes and nutrients like kefir and sauerkraut.

Moreover, kimchi has bacteria of Bacillus species that produce those enzymes. These help to digest fats, carbs, and proteins.

Miso

The enzyme they have is amylases, lactases, lipases, and proteases.

Function

Miso is a fermented soy paste. Koji (fungus) and salt are used in fermented soybeans. Hence, miso has a powerful combination of enzymes. They all help in breaking down lactose in fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and dairy products.

Moreover, miso also helps to reduce digestive issues like irritable bowel disease (IBD). Miso helps to improve their nutritional value by decreasing their anti-nutrient value. Also, anti-nutrients are found in foods which might hamper the absorption of foods in the digestive system.

Ginger

The enzyme they have is a protease (zingibain).

Function

They help to break down protein into building blocks. Also, gingers help to ease vomiting and nausea.

However, like other proteases, zingibain does not tenderize hard meats since its shelf life is short.

Food sitting in the stomach for a long time causes indigestion. A study has shown that adults with indigestion issues have consumed ginger for two weeks, and their digestive health improves immensely.

Final Thoughts

Now you know what is the function of digestive enzymes and how crucial they are for your health. Overall they help the body absorb nutrients. Moreover, without them, some foods will lead to symptoms such as nutritional deficiencies and food intolerances. So, if you show any symptoms talk to your doctor immediately.