Does the nervous system process food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body?

Question

Josiah Austin · Accepted Answer

No, the digestive system is responsible for that.

The nervous system is the system including your brain, spinal cord and all the nerves in the body. It's function is to receive, process and transmit signals from inside and outside the body. It is the overall regulator of the human body.

The digestive system (see image) is responsible for the digestion, uptake end processing of food. It includes organs such as the liver and the pancreas that secrete enzymes.

The digestive enzymes break down food into smaller pieces/ building blocks. These building blocks are taken up in the small bowel to be used by the body.

The nervous system is connected to the digestive system. It can for example send signals to your brain to let it know it wants nutrients (hunger feeling) or to let you know you are full.

Hudson Dean · Answer

undefined No, the nervous system does not process food. The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body. The nervous system primarily coordinates and regulates bodily functions, including digestion, but it does not directly process or convert food into usable molecules.