Lipids are digested mainly in the small intestine by bile salts through the process of emulsification, which allows lipases to divide lipids into fatty acids and monoglycerides.

Are bile salts emulsifiers?

Bile salts are natural emulsifiers. The monoglycerides that are formed after hydrolysis of the fat also act as emulsifiers. Nevertheless, the capacity of these natural emulsifiers can be a constraint for fat digestion.

How bile salts emulsify fats?

When digesting fats, bile acts as an emulsifier to break the large fat globules into smaller emulsion droplets. Emulsified fats provide a larger area for the fat-digesting enzymes (lipase) to act, making the process quicker. Bile acts as a good solvent.