What happens when you swallow a jelly bean?

When you swallow a jelly bean, it goes on a journey through your digestive system. Here is a step-by-step description of what happens:

1. Oral Phase: When you put a jelly bean in your mouth, your saliva begins to break it down. The enzymes in your saliva start to digest the carbohydrates in the jelly bean.

2. Esophagus: After chewing the jelly bean, you swallow it. The muscles of your esophagus contract and propel the jelly bean downward toward your stomach.

3. Stomach: Once the jelly bean reaches your stomach, it encounters a highly acidic environment. The hydrochloric acid and enzymes in your stomach help break down the jelly bean further, especially the proteins and fats.

4. Small Intestine: The partially digested jelly bean then moves into the small intestine. Here, the pancreas secretes enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase, which break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively. The bile from the liver assists in the digestion and absorption of fats. The walls of the small intestine also absorb nutrients and vitamins from the jelly bean.

5. Large Intestine: Any undigested components of the jelly bean, along with water and electrolytes, pass into the large intestine. The beneficial gut bacteria further ferment and break down these substances.

6. Elimination: The remaining waste products and water are eventually formed into stool and move through the colon and rectum. The stool is expelled from the body through bowel movements.

The entire process of digestion and elimination can take several hours to days, depending on the individual's digestive system and other factors.