To carry out its role in the digestive process, the stomach produces various enzymes. Enzymes in the stomach function to break down substances in food, so that food can be digested and absorbed properly by the intestines.
Actually, digestive enzymes are not only found in the stomach, but also in other digestive organs, such as the mouth, pancreas, and small intestine. Each of these organs produces different enzymes to help smooth the process of digestion of food.
Enzyme Function in Stomach
Basically, digestive enzymes function to break down the nutrients in food into smaller ones so that they can be easily absorbed by the body. There are several types of enzymes that play an important role in the digestion of food, namely lipase, amylase, and proteases and peptidases.
In addition, the stomach also produces several enzymes that play an important role in the digestive process, namely:
1. Pepsin
Pepsin is a gastric digestive enzyme which is the active form of pepsinogen. The enzyme pepsin breaks down proteins in food into smaller particles, such as peptide and amino acids, which are readily absorbed by the body.
2. Hydrochloric acid (HCI)
The main function of hydrochloric acid is to break down proteins in food and fight viruses or bacteria that enter with food. Not only that, hydrochloric acid also functions to convert pepsinogen into pepsin.
3. mucin
Enzyme mucin It is produced by the mucous cells or membranes on the inner surface of the stomach. This enzyme plays a role in protecting the stomach wall from exposure to stomach acid.
4. Gastrin
Gastrin is an important hormone produced by G cells in the stomach. G cells release gastrin in response to the stretching of the stomach that occurs after food enters. It aims to stimulate the production of stomach acid and help the stomach move when digesting food.
How to Maintain Enzyme Production in the Stomach
Under certain conditions, the production of gastric enzymes can decrease so that it is not enough to help the digestive process. So that this does not happen, you need to maintain stomach health by:
1. Adjust your diet
Dense activities often make you late to eat. In fact, one of the causes of high stomach acid is irregular eating patterns. Therefore, it is important for you to pay attention to your daily diet.
In addition to eating regularly, you are also advised to reduce the consumption of spicy, sour, and fatty foods, because they can cause stomach acid to rise.
2. Adequate fiber intake
Fiber can improve digestion, as well as good for stomach health. So, make sure you get enough fiber in your diet, both soluble and insoluble fiber. Foods that are good sources of fiber include whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and fruits.
3. Increase the consumption of water
Not only to prevent dehydration, consuming water is also good for maintaining stomach health. Therefore, it is enough to consume body fluids by consuming at least 8 glasses of water a day.
4. Stop smoking and avoid consuming alcoholic beverages
To maintain a healthy stomach, you should not smoke and not often consume alcoholic beverages. Both of these habits can injure the stomach wall. In addition, you are also advised to limit caffeine consumption, because it can increase the production of stomach acid.
Lack of enzyme production in the stomach can cause various digestive disorders, and the causes can vary. Therefore, consult a doctor if you experience problems with digestion, so that appropriate treatment can be given, including the administration of enzyme supplements.