What is the primary purpose of bile in the digestive process?

Bile plays a crucial role in the digestion of fats. Its primary purpose is to emulsify fats, which means it helps break down large fat globules into smaller droplets. This process increases the surface area of the fats, allowing digestive enzymes, particularly lipases, to more effectively digest the fats. The emulsification process also facilitates the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and aids in the overall digestion of dietary fats.

While bile does have other functions, such as helping to neutralize stomach acids and contributing to the excretion of waste products (like cholesterol and bilirubin), its main role in the digestive process specifically targets fat digestion through emulsification.