Ingestion

Definition

Ingestion is the process of taking food, drink, or another substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing it. It marks the first stage of digestion where the digestive system receives nutrients to be processed.

Related terms

Digestion:

The chemical and mechanical process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Absorption:

The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken up from the intestine into the blood or lymph, transferring them to cells throughout the body.

Gastrointestinal tract: A continuous tube running from the mouth to the anus where digestion and absorption occur; it includes all organs involved in digestion, such as the stomach and intestines