What Are Enzymes, What Are Their Roles in Digestion?
a. What are enzymes?: Enzymes help chemical reactions in the body to occur or speed up. They control a wide range of biological processes, from the digestion of food to muscle development and blood clotting. They do this by facilitating chemical reactions. Enzymes are not consumed in reactions, so they can be used repeatedly. Every cell in your body has thousands of enzymes that help facilitate all the complex chemical reactions needed to keep you healthy. There are many types of enzymes according to their functions, and most enzymes are made of protein.
b. Digestive enzymes: Digestive enzymes are substances that enable the foods we consume to be broken down, absorbed, and utilized by the body after entering the bloodstream. These substances are normally produced by the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestines. However, they may need to be taken externally when necessary. The most important digestive enzymes are as follows:
- Amylase: Amylase breaks down carbohydrates (starch) into maltose sugar, facilitating digestion. Amylase is secreted by both the salivary glands and the pancreas.
- Lactase: is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products, into simple sugars glucose and galactose. The lactase enzyme is produced in the small intestine.
- Lipase: Lipase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. It is primarily produced by the pancreas.
- Proteases: Proteolytic enzymes, also known as peptidases, are a general term used for enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids during digestion. Proteases are produced in the stomach and pancreas. The main ones are:
- Pepsin: Pepsin is secreted by the stomach to break down proteins into peptides or smaller amino acids. These amino acids are then absorbed in the small intestine.
- Tripsin: Tripsin is formed by the activation of an enzyme secreted by the pancreas by an enzyme in the small intestine. Tripsin then activates additional pancreatic enzymes such as carboxypeptidase and helps chymotrypsin in the breakdown of peptides.
- Kimotripsin : This enzyme breaks down peptides into free amino acids that can be absorbed by the intestinal wall.
- Prolyl Oligopeptidase: An enzyme that breaks down proline-rich proteins such as gluten in wheat into free amino acids or peptides.
- Sukrase: Sucrase, that is table sugar, is an enzyme secreted by the small intestine that breaks down sucrose into the simplest sugars like glucose and fructose.
Foods Rich in Digestive Enzymes
Certain food items, especially tropical fruits and fermented vegetables, are naturally rich in digestive enzymes that can accelerate the digestion of specific foods:
| Foods Containing Digestive Enzymes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food | Enzymes | Benefit | |
| Pineapple | Proteases (bromelain) | Helps the digestion of proteins and has additional anti-inflammatory effects | |
| Papaya | Proteases (papain) | Helps in the digestion of proteins and is a popular meat tenderizer | |
| Kiwi | Proteases (actinidain) | Fruit is rich not only in digestive enzymes but also in fiber that supports digestive system functions. | |
| Mango | Amylases | It helps starches break down carbohydrates into simple sugars and increases as the fruit ripens | |
| Banana | Amylases, glucosidases | Glucosidases, like amylases, also break down complex carbohydrates. | |
| Raw honey | Amylases, diastases, invertases, proteases | Amylases and diastases help in the breakdown of starches, invertases assist in the breakdown of sugars, and proteases aid in the breakdown of proteins. | |
| Avocado | Lipases | Helps in the digestion and metabolism of fat | |
| Kefir | Lipases, lactase, proteases | The lactase in kefir helps digest fermented milk and may be tolerated by some people with lactose intolerance. | |
| Sauerkraut, kimchi | Lipases, proteases | Fermented foods develop probiotics or beneficial bacteria as well as enzymes during the fermentation process to further support digestive health. | |
| Miso | Lactases, lipases, proteases, amylases | This fermented soy paste contains a powerful enzyme combination that helps break down lactose, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in dairy products. | |
| Ginger | Protease (zingibain) | Ginger, in addition to enzymes that help break down proteins, may also help alleviate nausea. |