Suffering a gurgling stomach or heartburn, having acid burps or feeling bloated can make you less confident. Improper digestion makes you feel embarrassed or ashamed. Also, this problem also affects your health. A healthy digestive system, on the other hand, will make you proactive, promote immune system, raise mood, facilitate nutrient absorption, and improve skin health. Consuming right foods can help you deal with your digestion problem. Besides, you also need to avoid some foods that can aggravate digestive issues. Keep reading to understand more.
Best Foods For Digestion
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Banana
Bananas aid carbohydrate digestion and improve bowel movement due to its high fiber and pectin content. They also provide lots of potassium. Both potassium and fiber in this fruit are beneficial to the digestive system, keeping it functioning smoothly. Add one banana daily either in your smoothie, breakfast cereal, or pancakes. Alternatively, enjoy a banana with vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt for dessert.
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Yogurt
Yogurt gives good bacteria to the gut so that this food is good for your digestion. According to several studies, consuming yogurt can prevent diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, lower the risk of colon cancer and improve bowel movement. For helping digest the food, you should consume a small cup of yogurt after lunch and dinner.
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Cumin
Cumin is mostly used as a flavoring agent in many cuisines. Besides, it also holds antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiepileptic effects. It additionally works as an appetite stimulant and can deal with dysentery and diarrhea. Apart from that, it possesses a phytochemical named thymol, which encourages the secretion of bile, enzymes, and acids to boost proper digestion. Moreover, it’s also useful in alleviating stomach ache owing to its essential oils, magnesium, and sodium.
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Cucumber
Cucumbers are full of minerals, vitamins, and contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. Along with that, it is also rich in water and fiber, all of which softens the stool and aids smooth bowel movements, thereby helping prevent constipation. Last but not least, antioxidants are also excellent for preventing toxic buildup, which can cause stomach infections and indigestion. You can add cucumbers to your juices, smoothies or salads, or eat them as a snack.
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Avocado
If you are undergoing stomach inflammation, avocados are one of the best foods to consume. It is useful in calming the inflamed stomach. This fruit aids in changing the microorganisms present in your gut, which in turn treats colitis, biliousness, and autointoxication. You can include avocados in your smoothies, in salads or in your breakfast to improve digestion and heal the gut.
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Apple
Apples are a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber. Plus, the antioxidant property present in this fruit help to combat inflammation and oxidative damage in the digestive organs. In addition, they also come with the pectin that promotes the good gut bacteria growth to improve digestion. You have them as a snack, in smoothies, with breakfast cereal, as juice, etc. Peel the apple before you eat if you are experiencing ulcer, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
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Ginger
Ginger has multiple health benefits. Ginger is used as a herbal medicine to cure cough, inflammation, cold, improper digestion and nausea. It additionally has a positive impact on enzymes which aid in breaking down proteins and fats. According to a few scientists from Taiwan, ginger can boost gastric emptying and promote atrial contractions. For this treatment, take a ginger piece and some salt. Chew the mixture in the morning or add it your cooked food or fruit juice.
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Prune
Prune is useful in stimulating the peristaltic movement of the colon and digestive tract because it works as a laxative. Plus, it is also full of insoluble and soluble fiber which supports your digestive system and your overall health. Besides, it also helps to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. Before breakfast or after lunch, drink prune juice.
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Fennel
Fennel is a fantastic herb that helps to prevent indigestion, bloating, stomach ache, flatulence, etc. It is also a carminative that can soothe gas effectively. Besides, fennel seeds have a bioactive compound known as fenchone which helps to cleanse the colon by relaxing the lining of the digestive tract. The seeds are also effective at improving nutrient absorption. You can add sliced fennel to your favorite sandwich, salad or stew. Also, include fennel seed in grilled fish or chicken to enhance the flavor.
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Beetroot
This vegetable owns anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities, which all help remove toxins and inhibit inflammation disorders of your digestive system. It also enhances the bile production, which speeds up digestion. Simply toss this plum red sweet vegetable into your stew, salad or bake beetroot chips.
Worst Foods For Digestion
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Legumes
If you’re having trouble with the digestion, it’s better not to have legumes for several days. They can lead to acidity, bloating, and acidity and irritate the digestive tract as well. You should avoid kidney beans, lima beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, soybeans, lentils, and edamame.
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Caffeine
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, baked foods, ice cream and energy drinks. It enhances the bowel movement, boosting the stomach emptying. This results in stomach ache and diarrhea. So, you need to avoid foods containing caffeine if you are having digestive problems.
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Nuts & Seeds
People having an upset stomach or any other digestion troubles should avoid nuts and seeds because roughage present in them can irritate the walls of the stomach, thus aggravating your digestion problems.
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Berries
Berries are healthy and nutritious but stay away from them if you’re having an ulcer, diverticulitis, or IBD and IBS. The small seeds and the fiber present in them can remove the lining of the colon and the stomach, thus causing irritation, inflammation, and bleeding. So, avoid taking berries or foods containing berries like pastries, cakes, jams, etc.
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Fatty Or Oily & Spicy Food
Avoid spicy and oily foods entirely if you’re batting the gut problem. These foods can either hasten the stomach that leads to diarrhea or delay the stomach emptying that causes bloating and constipation. Plus, deep-fried foods can cause bloat an acidity. Besides, spicy foods can irritate the digestive organs, which cause discomfort and stomach ache.
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Processed Food
If you’re having digestive issues, processed foods are not a good choice. This is because they lack fiber and have artificial sugar, too much of salt, artificial color, and preservatives, which can
Processed foods are a big no-no for you if you have digestive issues. Processed foods lack fiber and contain artificial sugar, artificial color, and too much of salt and preservatives. All these ingredients can irritate your digestion problems and lead to inflammation.
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Alcohol
Alcohol is bad for our health in general and for your digestion in particular. It causes dehydration the can result in bloat and constipation. Also, it is toxic to the digestive tract and stomach. It can also change metabolism in the liver. Therefore, avoid drinking alcohol when you have gut problems.
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Sugar
Your digestive health can be affected if you consume too much sugar and sugary foods. Sugar can boost the bad bacterial growth in the gut leading to inflammation and weakening your immune system. So, if you are combating indigestion, avoid taking sugar in packaged vegetable and fruit juices, cakes, pastries, doughnuts, etc.
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Aerated Drinks
Aerated or fizzy drinks contain the gas bubbles that can cause bloating and aggravate the digestive tract lining & stomach. Also, a significant amount of sugar in these drinks can worsen your digestion issues. Thus, stay away from consuming soda and any frizzy drink till the digestive organs start to function normally.
Author:
This guest post is by Emily Pham, a blogger with many years of experience in searching the best natural home remedies for beauty and health issues.