Are you struggling with a not so good digestive health? If so, this blog will change your digestive health around.
What is Digestive Health?
Our digestive health is about our overall well-being. Our digestive system includes multiple organs such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Moreover, the digestive system’s role is easy to break down; it breaks down the food we eat into nutrients. Furthermore, they are later absorbed by the body for energy, growth, and our bodies maintenance.
What Are the Symptoms of Bad Digestive Health?
Persistent Bloating
After a small meal, feeling as if you’ve blown up a balloon? One sign of an unhealthy digestive system is persistent bloating. But it’s when your body is unable to break down and assimilate nutrients that gas builds up. When bloating occurs what foods might cause it can yield some indication of underlying digestive problems.
Irregular Bowel Movements
The way you perform in the bathroom is an obvious reflection of things. Such repeat irregularities as chronic constipation or diarrhea indicate that your gastrointestinal system is not in balance. The reasons may be many, including dietary choices, dehydration, or lifelong problems of the digestive system.
Unexplained Weight Changes
If you suddenly lose or gain weight for no apparent reason, your digestive system may be in trouble. Additionally, with poor digestion, nutrients are not properly absorbed. In addition, this can cause fluctuations in weight. If you see your weight change radically, then an examination by a doctor is recommended. Similarly, this is to explore whether there are digestive problems.
Persistent Heartburn or Acid Reflux
For those with digestive problems, and heartburn, the uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest can be a very unwelcome visitor. Therefore, incidental heartburn is fine but if it starts to stick around for the duration, we’ve got problems, a more serious problem like gastroesophageal reflux disease. Chronic acid reflux can wear away the lining of your esophagus. So, it is extremely important to correct any underlying digestive problem.
Nutrient Deficiency
If the digestive system is working properly, it can readily extract needed nutrients from what we eat. When digestion is poor, nutrient absorption may be impaired and deficiencies occur. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and brittle nails. However, if you find yourself chronically lacking in nutrients of a certain kind, don’t hesitate to visit your healthcare professional.
How do I Improve My Digestive System?
Firstly, slow down and enjoy your food. Rushed eating often results in overeating and poor digestion. Chew your food well to help the digestive process get underway and increase nutrient absorption. Moreover, thinking about portion sizes will prevent you from overtaxing your digestive system.
Secondly, water is indispensable for digestion. It helps break down food and transport it through the gastrointestinal tract. An adequate amount of water during the day will aid digestion. Herbal teas like peppermint or ginger also have a calming effect on the digestive system.
In addition, fiber is the superhero of your digestive system. It gives stool weight, promoting regular bowel movements and general digestive health. Dietary fiber can be found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables or legumes. Increase fiber gradually to give your digestive system a chance to adjust.
Fourthly, friendly bacteria (probiotics) that reside in your gut play an important role in maintaining digestive balance. Add probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi to your diet. If necessary, you may choose to use probiotic supplements for maintaining microbial diversity in your gut.
Lastly, some foods are coarse to the stomach, causing bloating and indigestion. Identify and restrict or avoid trigger foods, such as spicy or greasy food; caffeine; and alcohol. Maintaining a food diary can help identify specific triggers and guide dietary adjustments.
