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The digestive process begins even before you even take a bite of food, as your salivary glands start to produce saliva when you see or smell food. The digestive process brings the food from your mouth through the stomach, small intestines, the appendix, the large intestines into the rectum all the way to your Anus to be excreted. 

Teeth

Teeth break down food into smaller pieces that are easier to swallow and digest. teeth are a very complex part of your mouth. There are four main types of teeth in humans, each with a specific role in eating.

Gums

The gums are part of the soft tissue lining inside the mouth. The gums surround the base of the teeth and act as a seal.

Salivary glands

Saliva from the salivary glands moistens food and contains an enzyme that begins to break down carbohydrates into sugars.

Tongue

A digestive organ, your tongue runs from your hyoid bone (located in the middle of your neck) to the floor of your mouth. It moves food around your mouth to help you chew. A ball-like mixture of food and saliva forms in the mouth during chewing this is called a bolus. 

The epiglottis, a flap of skin, closes over the windpipe and the upper esophageal sphincter relaxes to allow food into the esophagus. 

The esophagus is a muscular tube that Through Peristaltic contractions moves the bolus from the mouth to the stomach. Peristaltic contractions, are the muscular contractions

throughout the intestinal tract that moves the bolus from the mouth to the anus. 

The Stomach has four main regions: the cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus. The cardia (or cardiac region) is the point where the esophagus connects to the stomach and through which bolus passes into the stomach. The stomach plays a crucial role in the digestive system by receiving the bolus from the esophagus, mixing it with stomach acid and enzymes, and breaking it down into a liquid consistency called chyme, which is then passed on to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption of nutrients. The stomach is where the initial stages of chemical digestion occur through churning and the secretion of digestive juices.

The small intestine is divided into 3 parts the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The lining of the small intestine is covered in tiny finger-like projections called villi, which significantly increase the surface area for absorption.

Appendix The appendix is approximately 3.5 inches in length and is considered to be part of the digestive system. It is connected at the junction of the large and small intestine. Recent studies have raised the possibility that the appendix may play a role in gut microbiome restoration and immunological functions.

The large intestine consists of the cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending), and rectum. The large intestine's primary role in the digestive system is to absorb  most of the remaining water and excess nutrients from the chyme, concentrating the waste products and solidifying it into stool. It then stores the waste and eliminates it through the rectum and anus. 

The anus is the end of the digestive tract, where stool is excreted from the body.The anus and rectum detect if the rectum is full of stool, gas, or liquid. The anus and rectum control when to pass stool. The anus remains closed in order to keep out bacteria and other infectious organisms. The anus is made up of muscles, nerves, and mucous membranes that work together to allow for healthy bowel movements.

Teeth and gums

Diabetes can impact your teeth and gums in several ways. For example, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to tooth decay because high blood sugar levels increase the amount of glucose in your saliva. This provides more food for bacteria in your mouth to convert into acid, which can damage tooth enamel. Diabetes is associated with gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Symptoms include gums that are red, swollen, bleed, or recede, or teeth that are loose or shift. Gum disease can also cause bad breath and make it difficult to chew.  

Salivary glands

Diabetes can affect saliva production in a number of ways. Diabetes can cause Polyuria, which is an increase in urine volume to eliminate excess sugar from the blood, which can lead to a decrease in saliva production.  

Tongue

 Dry mouth is a common occurrence among people with diabetes. Dry mouth can impact taste perception as well as making the tongue feel dry, rough, and sore. Dry mouth if left untreated can cause fissures or deep grooves in the tongue which traps food particles and can cause bacterial overgrowth in the mouth.   

The epiglottis and esophagus  

Diabetes can affect the epiglottis and esophagus primarily through nerve damage (autonomic neuropathy), leading to impaired swallowing function due to abnormal muscle contractions in the esophagus and potentially increased susceptibility to infections in the throat, including issues with the epiglottis; this can manifest as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

The Stomach can be affected by Diabetes in several different ways. High blood sugar can cause damage to the autonomic nervous system which controls the stomachs' ability to empty properly (Gastroparesis) thereby causing symptoms ranging from constipation to nausea to vomiting, bloating, and feeling full after eating a small amount of food. These symptoms can lead to weight loss and nutrient deficiencies. 

The small intestine can be affected by diabetes in several serious ways such as abnormal motility, diarrhea, constipation and fecal incontinence. These symptoms are caused by nerve damage in the small intestines and furthermore can cause a malabsorption of nutrients as well as SIBO which is a bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines. Additionally, diabetes can cause SIFO or fungal overgrowth in the small intestines. This can lead to a variety of digestive symptoms that are quite similar to SIBO.

Appendix  

According to some studies there is an increased risk in developing type 2 diabetes in individuals who have had an appendectomy. They believe that this occurrence is due to the apparent role that the appendix plays in immune regulation in relation to glucose metabolism. 

The large intestine   can be damaged by High blood sugar as that damages nerves. Autonomic neuropathy is defined as the nerves controlling involuntary functions (heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, and urination) of the body are damaged. Diabetic enteropathy is a gastrointestinal manifestation of autonomic neuropathy. The symptoms of diabetic enteropathy are Constipation, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Bloating, Feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, and Fecal incontinence. 

The anus can be damaged in the same way. high blood sugar damages nerves and causes Constipation, Diarrhea and fecal incontinence.

Teeth and gums

Nutrients that are important for healthy teeth, gums, nerves, and bones include calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, hydration, bromelain and Vitamin k.

Salivary glands

To maintain salivary gland homeostasis, key nutrients include hydration, electrolytes, vitamins A, B3, B9, B12, and antioxidants these elements contribute to the production of saliva with the correct composition and volume, essential for oral health and digestion. 

Tongue

Necessary nutrients that keep the tongue healthy are protein, iron, B vitamins, calcium, vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-microbial agents.  

Epiglottis, and esophagus   

Fiber, protein and healthy fats

The Stomach  

Nutrients necessary to keep the stomach healthy are Vitamins C, A, D, B12, magnesium, zinc, selenium, fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, complex carbs, and omega 3 fatty acids.

The small intestine   

Complex carbohydrates, hydration, protein, fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, iron, fiber.

Appendix  

To keep your appendix healthy, it is suggested that a diet rich in fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Zinc are especially crucial for a healthy microbiome. 

The large intestine   

fiber, hydration, electrolytes, probiotics, prebiotics, healthy fats

The anus fiber and water

Pancreas 

The pancreas is located in the abdomen, behind the stomach, and is about the size of a hand. The pancreas plays a key role in digestion by producing enzymes that break down food and hormones that regulate blood sugar and appetite.

Gallbladder 

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver that receives and concentrates bile produced by the liver which helps break down fats in food. When you eat, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the small intestine through the cystic duct and common bile duct.

Liver 

The liver is the second-largest organ in the human body, weighing over 3 pounds and located in the upper right abdomen. The liver has many roles in the digestive system. The Bile produced in the Liver helps the small intestine digest fats, cholesterol, and vitamins. It also carries waste from the liver that can't pass through the kidneys. The liver filters blood from the intestines that contains nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. The liver breaks down nutrients so the body can use them for energy or to build and repair tissue. The liver stores some vitamins and minerals, including iron. The liver breaks down and removes potentially harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, and toxins from the blood.