The digestive system is composed of some organs that work together to convert food into basic nutrients and energy. If we don’t take care of our digestive health, our body will have issues digesting food and absorbing such nutrients. Our lifestyle and food choice determines our digestive system’s health. Below are some ways to improve and maintain our digestive health.
Consume a Diet that is High in Fiber
A higher-fiber diet helps in keeping food moving through the digestive tract. Also, it helps us treat or prevent different digestive conditions like hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. There are a lot of fiber-rich foods we can get; however, the most famous ones include bananas, apples pears, almonds, raisins, broccoli, lentils, black beans, and peas.
Drink Lots of Water
Drinking seven to eight glasses of water every day helps in keeping our physical and mental functions in order. Our digestive system needs water to function efficiently. If we don’t get enough water, the digestive process will slow down and make it difficult for waste to pass.
Incorporate Probiotics in the Diet
Our digestive tract has probiotics, which are healthy bacteria. These bacteria help in keeping the body healthy by fighting the impacts of stress, antibiotics, and poor diet. Additionally, probiotics can improve nutrient absorption, strengthen our immune system, and help in breaking lactose down. Good sources of probiotics include kefir and low-fat yogurt.
Avoid Overeating
We can easily pick just whatever we can in the pantry or fridge and eat unhealthy food in front of the television. We need to avoid overindulging on the couch. According to experts, overeating makes us experience bloating, heartburn, impaired focus, and sluggishness. Instead, we must eat only if we are hungry. Slow down and sit down when eating a meal and stop eating if we are full.
One way to avoid overeating is to eat small meals throughout the day. This prevents us from eating too much, getting too hungry, and eating too fast. Also, eating small meals help in fighting bloating, abdominal pain, gas, and cramping.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise helps in regulating weight and increasing blood flow which stimulates gastrointestinal tract muscles, prompting more efficient organ function. It is important to do at least thirty minutes of exercise every day. This does not have to mean going to the gym though. Exercise can be done in the form of biking, taking the stairs, jogging, walking, and swimming.
Take Time to Chew the Food
Experts recommend chewing food at least twenty times to offer the stomach lots of time to prepare to digest the nutrients being delivered. Also, this enables the body enough time to tell the brain that we are full.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Consuming too much alcohol can impact our digestive system. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder which can cause intense back and stomach pain, loss of appetite, and fever. Also, alcohol can cause metabolic syndrome which increases the risk of stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Consider Meditating
We can all get stressed, and although we don’t have the ability to control each situation which causes stress, we can change how we respond. If we are stressed, our digestion is switched off as our body is in the fight or flight mode. For some people, stress makes them experience diarrhea, while others suffer from constipation. Meditation is a great way to relax and minimize stress. A number of studies claim that relaxation helps improve digestive health.
Try Therapeutic Herbs and Supplements
There are a lot of herbs that benefit our digestive tract. These include organic dandelion leaf and organic cilantro. Cilantro oil is available in the market as enzymatic stimulant. Also, it helps the intestine in secreting digestive juices and acids. A number of people use cilantro in order to alleviate stomach gas. Moreover, organic dandelion leaf helps in detoxifying the digestive tract and stimulating it if it becomes sluggish. We can buy digestive health supplements at a vitamin shop in Florida.
What are your thoughts on improving digestive health? Please share tips in the comments. For inquiries, please call us at 863-583-4999.