The stomach temporarily stores food. But it is also the site of the breakdown of solid foods into a kind of porridge called "chyme".

When food enters the stomach, it is broken into fragments. This step is made possible by the contraction of the stomach muscle, the muscularis. Composed of three layers of fibers arranged in a longitudinal, circular and oblique manner, it mixes and kneads the food.

The upper part of the stomach serves as a food storage area. There, the cardia and the stomach body relax to receive the food that has reached the stomach. Then the antrum (lower stomach) contracts rhythmically, mixing the food with acid and enzymes (gastric juices) and breaking the food into small pieces to make them more easily digestible. The cells in the lining of the stomach secrete three important substances: mucus, hydrochloric acid and the precursor of pepsin (an enzyme that breaks up proteins).

Mucus lines the cells of the stomach lining to protect them from attack by acid and enzymes. Any disturbance of this mucus layer, for example due to infection with Helicobacter pylori or aspirin, can cause lesions that lead to a gastric ulcer.

Hydrochloric acid HCL is responsible for the highly acidic environment required for pepsin to break down proteins. The high acidity of the stomach also acts as a barrier against infection by killing most bacteria. Acid secretion is stimulated by nerve impulses, gastrin and histamine (respectively a hormone and a substance secreted by the stomach). Pepsin is the only enzyme that digests collagen, a protein that is one of the main building blocks of meat.

Aerophagia: physiological phenomenon characterized by abnormally high air ingestion during swallowing. Air collects in the esophagus and sometimes a small amount in the stomach when the subject drinks or eats, causing bloating and belching (burping).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or heartburn): refers to the ascent of part of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. This content is very acidic and the lining of the esophagus is not designed to resist such acidity, which causes it to become inflamed which results in burning or irritating sensations.

Gastroenteritis: infection of the digestive system which causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. In the majority of cases, it is short-lived, the symptoms appear quickly and usually disappear after 1 to 3 days. It is most often caused by a virus or bacteria that are transmitted mainly through contaminated hands, water and food (food poisoning).

Ulcer: inflammation of the stomach lining. The ulcer is caused by an overgrowth of stomach bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, which invades the mucus layer that normally protects the stomach from acidity. It then disrupts the protective mechanism in some people. This layer of mucus disappears and then it is the ulcer itself which causes damage to the inner lining of the stomach.

Gastritis: inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Results in heartburn or difficulty digesting. Usually not serious, gastritis can be caused by alcohol, drugs or even Helicobacter pylori.

DGL licorice facilitates digestion. It treats stomach ailments, including heartburn and indigestion

Considering that with age the HCL and enzymes decrease, we must compensate for this deficit in order to benefit from the best potential of our diet.