The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food and absorb the nutrients that it contains. The process starts when food is consumed and saliva is produced by the salivary glands. This saliva helps to break down carbohydrates and starches in the food. The food then passes down the esophagus to the stomach, where muscle contractions mix the food with acids and enzymes to break down proteins and fats. Next, the partially digested food passes to the small intestine. Here, the small intestine absorbs the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the food. Finally, the food passes to the large intestine, where water is absorbed and waste is eliminated from the body in the form of feces.