Gut Science

---

A short journey into the gut

The gut is amazing! Not only does the breakdown or digestion of food take place in the gut but the absorption of nutrients for the body is carried out by the gut. In order for efficient absorption to take place the gut is extremely folded. If we can fully unfold the adult gut and lay it out in a flat sheet it would have the same surface area as a tennis court. Not only does the gut have to be efficient but it has to be durable. Over a normal lifetime around 60 tonnes of food and drink passes through the gut.