Page:Strength from Eating.djvu/41

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PROCESS OF DIGESTION.
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liquid before swallowing. The period of digestion has been variously estimated from two to five hours. The stomach, while digestion continues, involuntarily churns and presses the food back and forth within its walls that it may be thoroughly mixed with the gastric juices. Portions of the digested food that are rendered liquid are all the time being absorbed by the stomach during this process. As the gastric juice of the stomach only digests albuminous, muscle making, articles of food, that will readily account for the feeling of increased muscular power which so quickly follows eating when one is tired and much in need of nourishment; and, when mastication has been properly performed, the saliva begins the work of digesting all starchy, heating foods, and undoubtedly some of this is also absorbed by the glands of the stomach, thus also accounting for the feeling of increased warmth that usually follows half an hour or more after a meal. Of course immediately after a hearty meal the blood is attracted to the stomach in such quantities in its endeavor to supply the gastric juice and do