What is the process called that involves the physical and chemical breakdown of food for absorption?

The process that involves the physical and chemical breakdown of food for absorption is known as digestion. During digestion, food is mechanically broken down in the mouth (through chewing) and then mixed with digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines, where further chemical breakdown occurs. This process reduces food into smaller, absorbable molecules, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and simple sugars, allowing nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized by the body.

Other terms, while related to bodily functions, do not encompass the entire process of breaking down food. Absorption specifically refers to the uptake of nutrients after digestion has occurred. Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol, often occurring in specialized conditions, and is not the primary mechanism for food breakdown in the digestive system. Metabolism refers broadly to all chemical reactions in the body, including both the breakdown of substances (catabolism) and the building of substances (anabolism), hence it is a broader term than digestion.