Improve your digestive system

Improving digestion necessitates breaking away from unhealthy dietary habits and adopting healthier ones. The foundation of this approach is to rely heavily on wholesome and unprocessed foods. Freshness and high quality food items contain a significant amount of health-promoting ingredients, including those that do not burden the digestive system. Some of these ingredients are highly effective in intensifying digestive processes, making the start of a diet often a very good solution for digestive issues. Additionally, incorporating probiotics such as yogurt and kefir into the diet can be beneficial as they not only contribute to improved gut health but also effectively prevent acid reflux and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. It is also recommended to avoid fried foods that can strain the digestive system. Bread can be replaced with rice cakes, and the consumption of salads can be increased. Vegetables are high in fiber and should be included in every meal. Fruits are also valuable due to their high content of antioxidants and vitamin C. An example of a beneficial ingredient is the enzyme bromelain, which is found in pineapples and strawberries and aids in the digestion of proteins. Fruits are also a good source of fiber, with apples and plums being particularly notable in this regard.

Viktor Dega once observed that movement can replace nearly every medicine, but all medicines combined will never replace movement. It is difficult to disagree with this assertion. Physical exertion leads to a series of changes in individual systems of the body, resulting in a faster metabolism, including improved digestion. A sedentary lifestyle reduces the functioning of the digestive system. Of course, there is no need to start a marathon or train with the intensity used by Olympic athletes immediately. Walking, light running or swimming a few lengths of the pool should help increase the production of gastric juice and improve the digestion of food residues.

It is recommended to consume at least 1.5 liters of water daily. This is the best and most effective solution for cleansing the body, including the digestive system. Water additionally facilitates the digestion of food, significantly affecting its structure. It should be noted that carbonated water may lead to bloating and an unpleasant feeling of lack of food. Gas fills our stomach and at the same time reduces space in it. However, not only does drinking water bring many benefits. Hot tea is often used during meals. Thermal stimuli alleviate pain, lower stomach muscle tension, and contribute to the increase in gastric juice production. Tannin, a component of tea, is also used to suppress diarrhea and soothe symptoms of food poisoning.

Numerous individuals hold the belief that nourishing food lacks flavor and aroma. However, it is worthwhile to reflect on the reasons behind this state of affairs, given that we are the ones who prepare it. There can be numerous causes – fear of ruining the meal's taste, frugality, laziness, or lack of knowledge. It is advisable to commence regular use of spices! The majority of them stimulate the stomach to produce more digestive juice. Some lead to increased secretion of bile from the liver, which will undoubtedly be helpful after consuming a fatty dish. A portion of them is responsible for the increased production of saliva, which initiates the process of digestion. Some spices can also contribute to the relaxation of the digestive system muscles and effectively reduce bloating. To diversify the taste of dishes and enhance the function of the stomach and intestines, it is recommended to acquire spices such as anise, basil, chili, curry, cinnamon, costus, tarragon, ginger, caraway, coriander, Italian parsley, cumin, oregano, black pepper, parsley, or thyme.

It is often forgotten that natural remedies are often effective and less burdensome for health. Phytotherapy, also known as herbal medicine, uses the properties of the most widely available and popular plant varieties. Most commonly, hot herbal applications or herbal remedies are used. It is therefore worth checking whether the following plants are available in the home pharmacy: – hops – not only increases appetite, but also increases the amount of bile juice secreted; – rose hips – effectively relieve the symptoms associated with overacidity and low pH; – artichoke – is a very good remedy for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and a strong antioxidant; – lemon balm – has a calming and relaxing effect, including on the intestinal muscles; – peppermint – significantly improves peristalsis of the digestive tract and helps with bloating due to its wiatropędne properties; – St. John's wort – is an effective way to detoxify the body and stimulate liver function; – burdock root – is known for its beneficial effects on the stomach in cases of overeating and poisoning, as well as on the liver after excessive alcohol consumption; – chamomile – works similarly to lemon balm in relaxing the digestive tract and reducing fermentative reactions of undigested food residues in the intestines; – verbena – has strong gallbladder-stimulating properties; – plantain – supports liver function, promotes gallbladder production, and facilitates its release.

There are also less known, but equally effective ways to improve digestion. The application of warm coverings on the stomach, such as warm towels or thermophores, helps in reducing excessive tension of the stomach muscles and intestines and also deals well with pain. In addition, apple cider vinegar is also a very useful solution. The high content of mineral components and pectins in this product allows for good functioning of the digestive tract. It stimulates peristaltic movements of the intestines and increases the production of gastric juice. Individuals who do not like fruits and vegetables can use ready-made fiber supplements. Usually, every pharmacy offers this very effective dietary supplement. Fiber is a mixture of water-insoluble compounds that expand in the stomach and effectively reduce the feeling of hunger. Therefore, it is often recommended for people who want to reduce their weight. Fiber also has a very positive impact on the bacterial intestinal flora and is an excellent method for neutralizing an overly acidic pH in the body.