Here's why:

* Hydrolysis is a chemical process where water molecules are used to break down larger molecules into smaller ones.

* Food is composed of large molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

* Digestion is the process of breaking down these large molecules into smaller, absorbable units.

Here's a simplified explanation:

Imagine food as a puzzle. Hydrolysis acts like the water that helps separate the puzzle pieces (large molecules) into smaller, individual pieces (smaller molecules) that can be easily used by the body.

Let me know if you'd like a more detailed explanation of how hydrolysis works in specific types of food molecules!