Mavesaft

Mavesaft, also known as stomach acid, is a digestive fluid produced by the stomach lining. It is primarily composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl) along with various enzymes, most notably pepsin. The highly acidic nature of mavesaft, with a pH typically ranging from 1.5 to 3.5, plays a crucial role in digestion.

The main functions of mavesaft include killing ingested microorganisms, thereby preventing infections, and denaturing proteins, which unfolds them and makes them more accessible to enzymatic breakdown. The enzyme pepsin, activated by the acidic environment, then begins the digestion of proteins into smaller peptides. Mavesaft also stimulates the flow of bile and pancreatic juice, aiding in the digestion of fats and carbohydrates in the small intestine.

The stomach lining is protected from the corrosive effects of mavesaft by a thick layer of mucus and bicarbonate ions. Disruptions to this protective barrier can lead to conditions such as gastritis, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.