Which nervous system primarily supports digestion by promoting rest and digestion?

• A. Parasympathetic nervous system
• B. Sympathetic nervous system
• C. Central nervous system
• D. Somatic nervous system

Answer: (A)

The parasympathetic nervous system drives digestion during rest. It’s the rest-and-digest branch of the autonomic system, waking up the gut by increasing peristalsis and secretions, boosting GI blood flow to support nutrient absorption, and slowing the heart to conserve energy. It uses acetylcholine to stimulate the gut’s smooth muscle and glands, promoting a calm, digesting state. In contrast, the sympathetic division prepares the body for stress and tends to slow digestion, while the central and somatic systems aren’t the primary drivers of digestive activity. So, the parasympathetic system best explains promotion of digestion in a resting state.