The work of your digestive system is to break down the foods you eat into their various components which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It is one such vital system of the body which, if not well taken care of, then the entire body would be in great trouble. It is a system that if neglected, the body would find it very difficult to absorb the nutrients needed for good health, and it may also mean the onset of a myriad of diseases along the gut. Here are a few of our best suggestions on what you need to do if you want to improve your digestion naturally so that you can tap into the benefits of perfect health-:
Eat diets rich in fiber
The first step towards improving your digestion naturally is eating diets that have high fiber content. Consuming foods that are high in fiber, as well as those rich in whole grains is beneficial to the digestive system because such foods will keep on moving through the digestive tract thus lowering your chances of constipating. They are also ideal for treating a number of digestive conditions such as irritable bowel disorder, hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis. Furthermore, if you are hoping to lose weight, you will be killing two birds with one stone when you consider diets rich in fiber.
Eat both soluble and insoluble fibers
For a good digestive system that will have the ability to virtually handle any type of food you through down your throat, it is highly recommended that you have a good balance of both soluble and insoluble fibers. This is because of these two types of fibers aid digestion in different ways. For example, insoluble fibers are also known as roughages, and the body doesn’t have the ability to digest them, and as such, they help to bulk the stools, making it easy to remove as much waste as possible in the form of feces.
Soluble fibers, on the other hand, are also important because they stop the formation of stools that to water, or those having the consistency like the ones released during diarrhea. Some of the foods to consider when you need insoluble fibers to include legumes, nuts, and oats while sources of insoluble fibers include vegetables, whole grains, and wheat brans.
Reduce the intake of foods with high-fat content
Food with high-fat content are usually digested slowly and this can increase your chances of having constipation. But since you need fat in the body and it is not recommended that you avoid all the fat, you should reduce your intake of foods that are naturally known to have very high fat content. If you have to take such foods, then you should pair them with foods rich in roughages so that they can be pushed down the digestive tract quickly to avoid constipation.
Consider lean meats in your diet
In as much as proteins are necessary for a balanced diet, fatty meat may not be very good for your digestive health. Instead of going for the fatty cuts of meat, go for lean cuts such as skinless poultry or lean pork loins.
Don’t forget about probiotics in your diet
Probiotics refer to certain types of healthy bacteria found naturally within the digestive system. Their work is to keep the body healthy and fight off diseases that might have been occasioned by stress and poor diets. They also help in the absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract into the bloodstream and sometimes, they may also aid in the breakdown of lactose. Additionally, probiotics help to treat conditions such as irritable bowel disorder as well as strengthen the immune system. With all these, they would be an awesome addition to your digestive health if you could consider them for your diets.
Have a schedule for eating
One of the things you can do to help keep your digestive system in good shape is to eat on a schedule. This means that you should have a regular schedule for eating your foods and snacks. Ensure that meals like lunch, dinner, and breakfast are all taken around the same time every single day.
Stay hydrated
The importance of water in nutrition and in life, in general, are never in question, and if you want to have a very good digestive system, you have no reason but to ensure you get good amounts of water every single day. Water will not just help to nourish the body cells and help organs such as kidney perform at their best, but also it will ensure that you have a soft stool. If you have had the experience of going to the toilet and releasing a very hard stool, you will appreciate the role played by water at such times.
Exercise regularly
Exercising regularly will not just help you become physically fit, but also if you desire to have a good digestive system, then you must think about working out on a regular basis. When you exercise, you help the food move down further the digestive tract. This will not just help to improve digestion, but also will reduce your chances of constipation. Exercising will also help you manage your weight which is a nice thing for your overall health. Therefore, if you haven’t been exercising, adjust your weekly schedule so that you can get physical with your body a few days a week.
Go for colon cleansing
Dirty colons are not good for your digestive health. A lot of absorption takes place in the colon and when they become “dirty” they lose their ability to absorb nutrients and water effectively. Besides, they also predispose you to a number of digestive problems including irritable bowel disorder. Due to this, you should go for colon cleansing once every three months and you should also consider using supplements that are known to improve the gut health such as fulvic mineral supplements. In addition to regular colon cleansing, you should also make it habit to go for checkups of your digestive system and not visit the doctor when there are visible signs of trouble with your digestive health.