Bile is mixed with food in the small intestine, specifically in the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine just after the stomach. When you eat, the liver produces bile and it is stored in the gallbladder. Upon consuming food, particularly fatty food, the gallbladder releases bile into the duodenum.
The primary role of bile is to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile contains bile salts, which help emulsify dietary fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets. This process makes it easier for digestive enzymes, such as lipase, to further digest these fats into fatty acids and glycerol that can be easily absorbed by the intestinal lining.
In summary, bile is mixed with food in the duodenum, playing a crucial role in fat digestion and absorption in the digestive system.