Proper digestion is one of the signs of good health. We have all experienced digestive problems occasionally, but if they occur regularly, you may be doing something wrong that affects your digestive health. Here are some tips to improve your digestion naturally.
Eat slowly and thoroughly chew your food
Many of us are guilty of eating too quickly because we’re running late for work or school, or the food tastes good. But in reality, this does nothing but harm us. Our digestive system already has to breakdown food, absorb nutrients, and then get rid of waste. By eating fast and not chewing thoroughly, we give more work to our digestive system as it tries to break down those large, unchewed chunks of food. Another benefit of eating slowly is that you will feel full when eating less food. Eating less food means less work for your digestive system and also, weight loss.
Eat foods that contain probiotics
Foods that contain probiotics are great for digestive system health. These foods contain bacteria that can aid in the digestion of food, nutrient absorption, and even eliminating harmful bacteria. Often the cause of stomach pain or bloating is due to inefficient digestion or harmful bacteria. Probiotics can remove both of these symptoms and they work very quickly which is why they are very popular among people. Yogurt is a very popular and accessible probiotic which you can find in most supermarkets and grocery stores.
Don’t drink water with your food
This may come as a shocker to most people because this is a common practice. Of course, you should stay hydrated, but don’t drink water while you are eating or within an hour of eating. This is because your body uses stomach acid to break down food. What water does is it dilutes this stomach acid which makes it weaker and less efficient. If it’s necessary you can drink a cup while eating, although the less water is better.
Don’t overwork your digestive system
As with anything else, overuse will cause damage. If your digestive system is constantly in use, it has no time to rest. To make sure your digestive system has enough time to repair, don’t constantly snack on different foods. Eat 2-3 meals daily and don’t snack a lot in between them. A balanced meal is better than snacking because if you snack too much, your digestive system will be active the entire day. Of course, some snacks are all right, but keep it to a minimum and you should see a difference in how your digestive system feels.
Eat healthy foods and foods you are comfortable with
Healthy food is not only good for living longer and healthier, but also for digestive health. Fast food, packages food, and junk foods all need preservatives so that they can stay in boxes and on shelves for years. These preservatives are not only unhealthy for us, but they’re also harmful to our digestive system. They also tend to have very high amounts of sodium, added sugars, and trans fats, and other things which are harmful in high doses which put a strain on the digestive system. Also eating foods that you are comfortable with is important. Even if you don’t have an allergy, you may realize that some foods don’t feel right. Stay away from those foods and stick to the diet you usually have.
Stay away from caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and cigarettes
These products are harmful in general, but they do also have effects on the digestive system. They can lead to heartburn and ulcers. Cigarettes and alcohol can even increase the risk of Stomach Cancer.
Stress management
What does stress have to do with digestion? A lot. Stress releases the hormone Cortisol which makes you alert. In high levels, stress can cause decreased blood and oxygen flow to the stomach which can cause digestion to slow down. It can also cause more serious effects such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Peptic Ulcers. Manage your stress by exercising, getting proper sleep and managing your time,
These small changes can go a long way. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the tips, just put them into practice as best as you can. Over time you will find it easier, and you can begin to incorporate more of these habits into your day and reap all the benefits.
