Everyone has at some point experiences issues resulting from improper functioning of the digestive system. Diarrhea, vomiting, acid reflux, constipation or nausea are an example of such problems. If you want to live a healthy and longer life, you must take care of your digestive system. How? Below are 5 ways to improve your digestion and live a healthy life.
Eating slowly permits enough saliva to be used in the process. This ensures the food is broken down ensuring your stomach receives it more easily. You should chew every mouthful of food until it becomes liquid. Our digestive systems are designed to process large pieces of food. When you swallow large portions of food, it can result in incomplete digestion. Proper chewing facilitates releasing digestive enzymes which further assist in the digestion process.
Add More Fiber in Your Diet
Fiber facilitates in breaking down food more slowly which makes glucose to enter the bloodstream at a slower speed. Your body can tell you when you are low on fiber. You will start experiencing pain in your bowels and constipation. When you get such signs, incorporate foods rich in fiber such as vegetables, beans, whole grain bread and cereals, oats, and nuts.
Take balanced meals
Always eat foods rich in nutrients, and that is easy to digest. Start foods that are easy to digest in your meals then move slowly towards more complex foods. You should minimize taking processed foods. You should not consume too much food. This is unhealthy and can lead to improper digestion. Therefore be observant of what you eat and eat in the right portions. You should also take your meals at regular times. Taking similar food type at similar times daily has an impact on your digestive system.
Drinking Lot of Water
You should start your day by drinking 1-2 glasses of water and continue drinking in between your meals. Incorporating more water into your diet prevents dehydration in your intestines. If you are experiencing discomforts during urination or bowel movements, drinking more water can be of great help. However, you should avoid cold water or drinks since that can slow the process of digestion. They can result in stiffening of muscles which does not go well with the digestive system.
Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes facilitate in breaking down food particles which enables your body to absorb the necessary nutrients. They are also responsible for ensuring the digestive system handles waste excretion the right way. If food particles are not well digested and waste is not excreted well, they can result in the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause an imbalance of bacteria in the body. This can trigger the emergence of some health problems like allergies or colon cancer.
Though the body produces these enzymes naturally, some ways can help in boosting their presence. One way is by consuming healthy food. One should consume foods rich in prebiotics as they produce enzymes that facilitate digestion process. Fruits are sources rich in prebiotics. Check this post for the best digestive enzymes.
Minimizing cooking food is another way of boosting these enzymes in our bodies. If the food cannot be eaten raw, slow cooking is highly recommended to increase these enzymes. The enzymes cannot withstand high heat which is the reason for slow cooking or eating food raw where possible. Another natural way of increasing production of these enzymes is by being involved in physical activity. This not only boosts their production but also helps in digestion.
Natural prebiotics health supplements are another convenient way of increasing the enzymes in your body. The supplements provide the body with the right amount of prebiotics to generate enzymes required in digesting food properly.
Conclusion
Failure to work properly of the digestive system can lead to various ailments. A digestive system that is weak will not supply enough nutrients to your body as it is required. Improper digestion can lead to building up of undigested nutrient in the bloodstream which has been associated with causing Acid Reflux, fatigue, nausea, burping, cramping, bloating, gurgles, heartburn, food allergies, constipation, acne, diarrhea and water retention. By using the above 5 ways to improve your digestion, you can improve your overall health. You will start feeling more energized and live a longer stress-free life.