What is the role of bile in digestion?

Bile plays a crucial role in the digestion of fats. Its primary function is to emulsify fats, which means it breaks down large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for digestive enzymes to act upon. This emulsification process allows lipase, an enzyme produced by the pancreas, to effectively break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol, which can then be absorbed by the intestinal lining.

Furthermore, bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, being released into the small intestine during the digestive process. While bile does have some capacity to neutralize stomach acid due to its alkaline nature, its main and most critical role is indeed the emulsification of fats. Understanding this function of bile is vital for grasping the overall process of digestion, especially for individuals who consume a diet high in fats.