How is mayonnaise broken down in the digestive system?

Answer 1

Mayonnaise, primarily composed of oil, egg yolks, and vinegar or lemon juice, is broken down in the digestive system starting in the stomach, where gastric juices partially emulsify the fats. In the small intestine, bile from the liver further emulsifies the fats, allowing pancreatic enzymes, particularly lipase, to break down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. The resulting smaller molecules are then absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream. Other components, like proteins and carbohydrates in mayonnaise, are also digested by specific enzymes in the stomach and small intestine.