Digestive system conditions and special diets

The digestive system performs many tasks to break down the food and drink we take in every day. 

When it works properly, we can enjoy a range of food without any limits to our diet. However, if the digestive system is upset or if we have food allergies, food intolerances or digestive system disorders, digestion is more complicated. People affected by these conditions need to pay extra attention to the food they eat and manage any symptoms that arise.

About this section

This section looks at the digestive system and some causes of poor digestion. You can find out:

• what parts of the body make up the digestive system
• how our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, accessory organs and gut flora keep us healthy
• why some common digestive system disorders occur
• how food intolerances and allergies develop and how to manage them
• which special diets can boost your child’s energy or improve their sports performance.